What do the new lockdown rules mean for Basingstoke?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the measures last night in a bid to reverse the spread of coronavirus. 

It means people must stay at home unless for specific reasons, such as attending school or college, or going to the supermarket.

When do the new rules come into force?

The new national lockdown will run from Thursday, November 5, until Wednesday, December 2.

The lockdown will then be eased on a regional basis according to the latest coronavirus case data at that time.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the new measures last night

Can I leave my home?

Yes, but only for specific reasons such as education, if it is not provided online, work if you cannot work from home ­— including if your job involves working in other people’s homes ­— and for exercise, which you can take as many times a day as you wish.

People can also leave for recreational purposes with their own household, or on their own with one person from another household.

People will not be allowed to meet in homes and gardens, and golf clubs will remain shut.

People can also leave home to shop for food and essentials, and to provide care for vulnerable people or as a volunteer.

Attending medical appointments is also allowed or to escape injury or harm, such as for people suffering domestic abuse.

Support bubbles will remain in place and people can still meet up in their bubble.

The second nationwide lockdown is being introduced to stop the spread of coronavirus, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said

Children can move between the homes of their parents if their parents are separated.

There will be other “limited circumstances” where you can leave your home which will be set out later.

What about my business? 

If your business is a non-essential shop, leisure or entertainment venue, you will have to close to the public.

Restaurants are allowed to stay open as take-away outlets. 

This will come as a blow to Basingstoke's hospitality industry which has been recovering steadily since the last nationwide lockdown. 

What will close?

Non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues will all be closed.

Non-essential retail includes clothing and electronics stores, car showrooms, travel agents, betting shops, auction houses, tailors, car washes, tobacco and vape shops.

Leisure includes bowling alleys, leisure centres and gyms, sports facilities including swimming pools, golf courses and driving ranges, dance studios, stables and riding centres, soft play facilities, climbing walls and climbing centres, archery and shooting ranges, water and theme parks.

Theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums and galleries, casinos, adult gaming centres and arcades, bingo halls, bowling alleys, concert halls, zoos and other animal attractions will close, as well as hair, beauty and nail salons, tattoo parlours, spas, massage parlours, body and skin piercing services, non-medical acupuncture, and tanning salons.

Basingstoke Leisure Park will have to close again from Thursday

Click and collect can continue and essential shops such as supermarkets, garden centres and shops “providing essential goods and services” will remain open.

Bars, pubs and restaurants must stay closed except for delivery or take-away services. Takeaway alcohol will not be allowed.

Hotels, hostels and other accommodation should only open for those who have to travel for work and for a limited number of reasons which will be set out later.

Vue Cinema in Basingstoke will also have to close from Thursday

NHS and medical services such as GPs, along with Jobcentre Plus sites and courts, will stay open.

What if I shielded last time?

People over 60 and those who are clinically vulnerable are being told to be especially careful to follow the rules and minimise their contact with others.

Anyone who was formally notified that they should shield last time and not go out to work will be advised not to go out to work this time.

However, formal shielding ­— where people are told not to leave home for any reason ­— will not be brought in.

People classed as clinically extremely vulnerable are being advised to work from home. If that is not possible people may be eligible for may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay or Employment Support Allowance.

More guidance will be published on Monday.

What about visiting care homes?

Follow existing guidance. More will be published ahead of lockdown.

For those wanting to visit loved ones in care homes, they are being advised to follow the latest guidance. Pictured: Marnel Lodge in Basingstoke

Should my children go to school or to the childminder? Can they go to a playground?

Yes, schools, colleges and universities will all remain open. Students should not return home during term time, but can return home for the Christmas holiday.

Childminders and nurseries will stay open and childcare bubbles, where for example a grandparent provides childcare while a parent works, will be able to continue.

After-school clubs and sports clubs will be suspended until December 2.

Playgrounds and parks will remain open.

Basingstoke schools will remain open. Pictured: Everest School in Popley

Can I go on holiday, have an overnight stay or go to my second home?

No, you are advised not to travel unless for essential reasons.

People can travel for work and there are exemptions for overnights and second homes for work purposes.

Those who are already on holiday will be able to return to the UK.

Is there a furlough scheme?

Yes, furlough will be payable at 80 per cent up to a maximum of £2,500 for the duration of the package of tougher national measures.

Business premises forced to close will also receive grants worth up to £3,000 per month under a Local Restrictions Support Grant.

A further £1.1 billion will be given to local authorities ­— distributed on the basis of £20 per head ­— for one-off payments to support businesses.

Is there support for mortgages?

Yes. Homeowners will be able to take the option of mortgage payment holidays, which had been due to end on Saturday but have been extended.

Can I go to church?

Churches will remain open for private prayer

Funerals will be limited to a maximum of 30 people, although it is advised that only close family members attend. Stone settings and scatterings should have no more than 15 people.

Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies are only allowed in “exceptional circumstances”.

What has Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said about the new restrictions?

Last night, council leader Cllr Ken Rhatigan issued a statement to The Gazette.

"The announcement is a deeply worrying development for the nation and for our Borough.

Just as we were finding paths to run our lives under the new restrictions, and residents were getting used to face masks, social distancing, and hand sanitizers the numbers of infections have continued to rise and Our NHS  is once again under great strain.

I urge residents to remain compliant to the new rules and do what they can to reduce the spread of virus to protect themselves, their families, and the wider community.

It will be particularly difficult for our hospitality industry, and so many of our small businesses who have risen to the challenge of adapting to new ways of working.

Our residents need to remember that we have to stick together,  help your neighbours, watch out for families, while only shopping for what you need thus avoiding shortages in our supermarkets,

We as your Borough Council will look at what more we can do to support our most vulnerable.

I promise we will make every effort to give help and provide guidance when our residents feel there is no one else to turn to as we will continue to be a trusted source of information."