Politics

11 things you can from today in England under changes to lockdown


Today people in England will be able to enjoy greater freedoms as lockdown restrictions are eased.

The changes permit exercising more than once a day, sitting and sunbathing in parks and on beaches, and going for a drive.

However, the vast majority of the measures imposed on March 23 still apply, with Boris Johnson previously warning it was “not the time simply to end the lockdown this week.”

You can now meet up with someone from another household in the park – as long as you maintain a 2m distance from each other.

Those who can’t work from home are also being urged to return to work today.

Boris Johnson announced the changes on Sunday

Schools and all non-essential shops will remain shut until at least June, with pubs expected to be closed beyond July.

With the risk that the virus could run rampant again, the fine for breaching remaining rules has been almost doubled to £100, up to a cap of £3,200. 

And the overall message has switched from “stay at home” to “stay alert” – a situation that has prompted alarm and anger.

Many say even the limited easing comes far too soon – with England still seeing thousands of new Covid-19 infections and hundreds of deaths per day.

And Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have all stopped short of easing the lockdown in the way Mr Johnson has.

Labour leader Keir Starmer previously warned: “This statement raises more questions than it answers.

“We see the prospect of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland pulling in different directions.

“The Prime Minister appears to be effectively telling millions of people to go back to work without a clear plan for safety or clear guidance as to how to get there without using public transport.

Mr Johnson said the time is not right to completely end the lockdown

“What the country wanted tonight was clarity and consensus, but we haven’t got either of those.”

The Police Federation of England and Wales warned of “extreme pressure” being placed on the officers it represents by the relaxation of rules.

National chairman John Apter said: “What we need from the Prime Minister and the Government now is clear and unambiguous messaging and guidance, explaining what exactly is expected of the public, so that my colleagues can do their level best to police it.”

While some of these changes also apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, it is for those governments to decide exactly how to proceed.

Here’s what we know you can and can’t do in England.

11 things you can do from today

1. Exercise more than once per day

“From this Wednesday, we want to encourage people to take more and even unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise,” Boris Johnson previously announced.

The rule that you could only take exercise once per day has been scrapped.

The ‘once a day’ rule was never laid down in the law, but it was in government guidance since March 23.

You will be able to read a book in the park from today (file photo)

2. Sit in the park or on a beach – 2 metres from others

From today you will no longer have to keep moving all the time in parks and other public places (other than for a short rest).

It is understood you will be allowed to sit and sunbathe or read a book, for example.

The condition is that you must be at least 2 metres from people outside your own household.

The same rules that apply to parks will apply to beaches. That means you can sunbathe or read a book on a beach, just as you could in the park.

Again, you may only do this with members of your own household. You must be at least 2 metres from all other households.

Sunbathing is now allowed in parks and beaches

3. Go to a garden centre

Garden centres are, along with golf courses and tennis courts (below), reopening in England today.

4. Drive to other places for (socially distanced) outdoor activity

Boris Johnson said in his speech that “you can drive to other destinations” from today.

In England there is no limit on how far you can travel to an outdoor space – as long as you respect social distancing rules once you’re there.

You must ensure that you do not come within two metres of anybody who is not from your household, as this would risk you spreading the virus.

You should not cross the border into Wales or Scotland, as they have different rules.

But you can drive to the countryside for a walk, visit a quiet beach or go on a day-trip with members of your household.

5. Meet one friend or relative in the park – if you stay two metres away from each other

Government officials said that from today, you may sit with someone from another household in public under certain circumstances.

Those are if you stay 2 metres apart – and if there are only two of you, one from each household.

So for example, one person can meet another person from a separate household in a socially distanced way and chat from 2 metres away.

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But you can’t bend the rule to have a very spread-out party in the park with your mates.

6. Play golf and tennis – but only with members of your own household

Golf courses and tennis courts will be allowed to open from today in England.

However, you would still have to play only with members of your own household.

Other sports may be allowed but there is no word on football – which obviously cannot be carried out in a socially distanced way, and usually needs more people than are in the average household.

7. Go angling and swim in lakes and the sea

Angling and water sports are also to be allowed to resume in England today. Again, you must be within your own household and 2 metres from other households.

You can also swim in lakes and the sea as long as you’re socially distant – but not outdoor swimming pools. Or indoor swimming pools, which like gyms remain closed for the foreseeable.

8. Go back to work – if you can’t work from home

This is more a “should do” than a “can do”.

Boris Johnson announced a “change in emphasis” – rather than strictly a change in the rules – from this week for who should and shouldn’t be at work.

He said: “Anyone who can’t work from home, for instance those in construction or manufacturing, should be actively encouraged to go to work.

“Work from home if you can, but you should go to work if you can’t work from home.”

The Prime Minister said the government has been working to establish new guidance for firms to make workplaces safe.

But he did not say when it would be published – which is likely to spark fears over how workers will be kept safe or whether they’ll all be 2 metres apart.

9. See a personal trainer in the park

“A personal trainer can have a session in a park with one client,” a No10 spokesman said.

This is because you’re allowed to see one person from another household in the park, as long as you’re both two metres away and don’t bring anyone with you.

10. Help a vulnerable person

Government guidance says: “You can go out to care for or help a vulnerable person, or to provide other voluntary or charitable services, following the advice set out here. You should not do so if you have coronavirus symptoms, however mild.

“Wherever possible, you should stay at least two metres away from others, and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds (or use hand sanitiser if soap and water are not available).”

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11. View a flat or home

From today the government will make it legal to carry out viewings, house moves and trips to letting or estate agents.

The exceptions have been made public as part of new laws loosening the coronavirus lockdown in England.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 say people may leave the home “to undertake any of the following activities in connection with the purchase, sale, letting or rental of a residential property”.

This includes visiting estate or letting agents, developer sales offices or show homes; viewing residential properties to look for a property to buy or rent; and moving home.





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