What would further lockdown restrictions look like?

Could the UK introduce a curfew similar to France?

Matt Hancock said support bubbles would not be scrapped, going against minster’s reports  (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

England has now been in a full national lockdown for just over a week.

Boris Johnson announced the latest lockdown on 4 January saying that although he thought this lockdown would be the “hardest yet” he believes that we are “entering the last phase of the struggle.”

Yet with fears that new lockdown rules are not being properly observed, the prime minister has since said that we “may have to do more” in order to try and curb the spread of the virus.

Under the latest national lockdown, people must stay at home and only go out for a limited number of reasons. These include shopping for essential food, exercise or work, if it cannot be done from home.

Similar measures have been introduced in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock this morning told BBC Breakfast that “people shouldn’t take the mickey out of the rules.”

There are now 35,000 people in hospitals with Covid, which is an increase on the spring peak.

When asked whether or not we were currently experiencing the peak of the second wave, Mr Hancock responded: “together we can make this the peak if enough people follow the rules which are incredibly clear."

Boris Johnson is set to be questioned by MPs about the vaccine rollout later today.

In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced tightening of rules in a briefing earlier. This included stricter rules around takeaways and click and collect services.

Here are some of the current restrictions which could change:

Support bubbles

People are still allowed to form a support bubble. This is permitted if the person lives alone, if their household includes a child under the age of one, or if they are a single adult living with one or more children under 18 years old.

Ministers have been reported saying that support bubbles could be scrapped, but Mr Hancock contradicted this 11 January saying it would not happen. He said: “I know how important they are to people, and they are an important part of the system we have got to support people.”

Outdoor exercise

Going for daily exercise, such as a walk, run, cycle or swim is currently a valid reason for leaving the house during lockdown.

At the moment, people may go out with one other person from their household or support bubble. They are also allowed to exercise with one other person from another household, but this could all change.

The Health Secretary warned that people had been breaking the rule saying, "if too many people keep breaking this rule, then we are going to have to look at it".

He added that the government was “very reluctant" to remove the rule of meeting one other person outside as "it is a lifeline" for some.

Exercise should also be “local,” although the distance people are allowed to travel has not yet been specified. This could potentially change should restrictions be tightened.

Professor Chris Whitty has urged people to "double down" to avoid unnecessary contact, suggesting that people should avoid meeting friends at coffee shops for takeaways.

Schools

All schools have been closed until mid-February at the earliest, although they currently remain open for children of key workers and vulnerable pupils.

Concerns have been raised about risks of transmission of the virus with more than half of pupils reported to be attending some primary schools.

Matt Hancock said on 11 January that Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, will send out 500,000 laptops to vulnerable children so that they have access to remote lessons.

Nurseries should remain open with Mr Williamson saying the government has "no intention" of closing them.

Meanwhile Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “I think a lot of people will be quite surprised primary schools are closed, and nurseries are open.”

Face masks

Face coverings should be worn in shops and on public transport by law, unless people are exempt.

Following concerns that some people have been flouting the rule, Morrisons, Tesco, Asda and Waitrose have all said they will deny entry to shoppers who are not wearing a face mask. Sainsbury’s have said that its stores’ security guards will challenge those who do not comply.

It is not a legal requirement in England that face coverings be worn in outdoor public spaces, however it is in a number of countries. These include France, Spain, India, Indonesia, Bolivia, Venezuela, Morocco, Algeria and South Africa.  

SAGE previously suggested that face coverings outside would have “very low impact” on community transmission” but Professor Whitty told the BBC’s Today programme there “might be some logic” to people having to wear masks in queues outside.

Construction workers

Under the latest lockdown rules, those who work in construction can keep going to work as it is deemed essential. It’s possible that this could all change but for the moment it’s been suggested that workers on construction sites could be subject to mass coronavirus testing.

This follows in a pledge by the government to increase its community testing scheme.

Curfew

This week, France upped its lockdown measures with a longer curfew, lasting 12 hours in some regions from 6pm-6am and from 8pm-6am in the rest of the country. Similar curfews are in place in Quebec, Italy, South Africa, Zimbabwe and in parts of the US.

In Lebanon, an even stricter 11 day, 24 hour curfew has been introduced starting Thursday 5am (3am GMT). Residents are not allowed out at all and are having to rely on deliveries for grocery shopping.

England currently has no curfew in place but this may change should restrictions be tightened.

Religious gatherings

Contrary to advice from SAGE, places of worship remain open in England. The advisory group previously suggested that places of worship could pose a risk to more vulnerable members of the community. 

However, they added that their remaining open would not have a huge impact on overall transmission of the virus so may well remain open.