After several days of uncertainty, the Government took the decision to put England back into national lockdown from Thursday 5th November. And, as pubs, restaurants, non-essential shops and a raft of other businesses closed their doors for the second time this year, Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council, Councillor Simon Robinson, called on local residents to play their part in helping stop the spread of Covid-19.
Councillor Robinson said: “It’s incredibly important that everybody now complies with these new restrictions. I know it’s exceptionally tough on so many of us as residents and business owners but we are in a really serious situation.
“It needs everyone to continue playing their part, starting with staying at home wherever you can and remembering hands, face, space whenever you do leave home for essential reasons. I cannot stress enough how important it is as we go forward we all follow these rules to protect each other and get on top of this virus.
“These measures are very much about protecting everybody in our communities with these huge sacrifices we have to make. I’m disappointed we’re in this again after all we did earlier this year but we are where we are and we’ve got to make that commitment and get on top of this pandemic.”
What the lockdown means
The second national lockdown carries similar restrictions to the first one, although there are some differences – the main one being that schools and universities will remain open, as will the courts.
Key rules and restrictions include:
- You can’t meet other people indoors, except for those in your own household and/or support bubble
- Outdoor meetings in public with your household/bubble or with one other person are permitted
- You must stay at home except for specific purposes such as going to work, shopping, for medical reasons and other essential purposes
- Outdoor exercise and recreation is encouraged, in line with the above rules
- You should avoid travel within the UK where possible, with overnight stays only allowed for work purposes
- International travel is prohibited
- Pubs and restaurants must close, although takeaways and deliveries are allowed
- Non-essential shops must close, although essential shops such as supermarkets and hardware stores can sell non-essential items (unlike in Wales)
- Religious services aren’t permitted, but you can visit a place of worship to pray in private
- Manufacturing and constructions businesses can stay open.
For full details and guidance around the restrictions, please visit www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november.
Support for businesses
The second national lockdown will be a cruel blow to many traders in our village – especially our hospitality outlets who worked so hard to comply with the ever-changing rules and restrictions that came in after the first lockdown ended in July.
The government has announced an enhanced package of support for businesses during the period of enforced closure, or provide financial aid if they’re able to keep trading.
For full details of the support available, please visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support.
Keep up to date
You’ll find the latest national updates on lockdown and Covid-19 at www.gov.uk/coronavirus. Information on local restrictions, support for local businesses and vulnerable residents, plus other Covid-related news and issues relating to our borough, will be published on the Rushcliffe Borough Council website: www.rushcliffe.gov.uk.