Lockdown Rules: What You Can and Cannot Do
New lockdown rules are strict. You must stay at home unless it’s absolutely necessary to leave.
When You Can Leave the House
- Shop for essentials for yourself or a vulnerable person
- Go to work if you can’t work from home, or volunteer
- Exercise once a day locally, alone, with your household, support bubble, or one other person
- Meet your support bubble or childcare bubble if legally allowed
- Seek medical care or avoid injury, illness, or risk of harm (this includes domestic abuse)
- Attend education or childcare if you’re eligible
Schools and Education
Colleges and schools stay open only for vulnerable children and kids of critical workers. The rest will learn from home until February half-term. Early Years settings remain open. Higher Education courses will be online until mid-February, except for critical worker courses.
Meeting Others Is Strictly Off Limits
You cannot meet socially with anyone outside your household or support bubble unless it’s a legal exception. Exercise is allowed alone, with one other person, or with your support bubble. Always keep a 2-metre distance from anyone not in your household.
Stay Local & Stay Safe
If you must leave your home, stay local within your village, town, or city. You can only travel outside your area for work or other legal reasons. Clinically extremely vulnerable people should only go out for medical appointments, exercise, or essential reasons.
For full, up-to-date guidance, visit the gov.uk lockdown page.
