When does lockdown officially start on Thursday, when will it end and what are the rules?

The country is braced for its second national lockdown of 2020.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Boris Johnson addressed the nation on Saturday at a Downing Street press conference where he announced the country would be entering a month-long lockdown, warning "the virus is spreading even faster than the reasonable worst case scenario".

Today (Wednesday, November 4) MPs will vote on the plans for a four-week lockdown which has already received the backing from the Labour Party.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

If the plans are voted through, England will be under lockdown from 00.01am on Thursday, November 5.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks on during a virtual press conference at Downing Street (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks on during a virtual press conference at Downing Street (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks on during a virtual press conference at Downing Street (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

The lockdown is expected to last for four weeks until December 2, although cabinet officer minister Michael Gove warned this could be extended.

Further lockdown measures are set to emerge today, but here are the rules we know so far:

People are being told to stay at home except for specific purposes which include: for work if you cannot work from home, childcare or education, exercise outdoors or visit an outdoor place with your household or support bubble, medical reasons, essential shopping, providing care for vulnerable people or for volunteering, and visiting members of your support bubble Meeting indoors or in private gardens is banned, but individuals can meet one other person from another household outside in a public place, such as parks, the countryside, allotments and beaches Non-essential retail will close apart from for click-and-collect delivery Hospitality venues such as pubs, bars, restaurants will have to close, but can still provide takeaway and delivery Overnight stays, staying in a second home, and holidays will not be allowed although there are exceptions, such as work trips People are beinf told to avoid all non-essential travel by private or public transport Gyms and swimming pools will close, along with entertainment venues and personal care facilities such as beauty salons Places of worship will close, unless they are being used for funerals, individual prayer, formal childcare, or essential services such as blood donation or food banks Construction sites can remain open Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies will not be able to take place except in exceptional circumstances, and funerals will be limited to a maximum of 30 people Children will still be able to move between homes if their parents are separated Clinically vulnerable people will be asked to be "especially careful" but people will not be asked to resume shielding

A pedestrian wearing a face mask walks past a Christmas light display (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)A pedestrian wearing a face mask walks past a Christmas light display (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
A pedestrian wearing a face mask walks past a Christmas light display (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.