Lockdown Rules: What You Can and Cannot Do
The UK is in lockdown, and the rules are clear. You must stay at home unless absolutely necessary. Wondering what counts as necessary? Here’s the lowdown.
When Can You Leave the House?
- Shopping for essentials, for yourself or someone vulnerable
- Going to work – if you can’t work from home
- Volunteering or charitable work you can’t do from home
- Exercising once a day with your household, support bubble, or one other person (stay local, no travelling)
- Meeting your support or childcare bubble if legally allowed
- Seeking medical help or avoiding harm (including domestic abuse)
- Attending education or childcare if you’re eligible
Colleges, primary and secondary schools remain open only for vulnerable kids and children of critical workers. All other children learn from home until the February half-term. Early Years settings stay open.
Higher Education is online until mid-February, except for some critical worker courses.
Stick to Your Local Area
If you leave home for any permitted reason, stay local – within your village, town, or city area. You can only leave your local area if it’s for a legal reason, such as work.
If you’re clinically extremely vulnerable, limit outings to medical appointments, exercise, or absolute essentials.
No Social Meet-Ups Allowed
- Do not meet socially with anyone you don’t live with or share a support bubble with—unless it’s for a permitted reason.
- You can exercise alone, with one other person, or with your household/support bubble.
- Keep a strict 2-metre distance from anyone outside your household.
For full, official guidance, head to the gov.uk website.
