Many people have contacted us saying they were slightly confused by the Government announcement made on Sunday which altered some of the Lockdown rules. Here is a brief summary which we hope can clarify the changes made.
The Prime Minister highlighted the need to “stay alert” in the coming weeks with a new Covid Alert System being implemented, run by a new Joint Biosecurity Centre. “The Covid Alert Level will be determined primarily by R (the reproduction number) and the number of coronavirus cases and in turn that Covid Alert Level will tell us how tough we have to be in our social distancing measures – the lower the level the fewer the measures.” There are 5 levels and we are currently at level 4. In addition, fines for breaching the rules have been almost doubled to £10, up to a cap of £3,200.
The new advice outlined the following:
- Anyone who can’t work from home, for instance those in construction or manufacturing, should be actively encouraged to go to work.
- Avoid public transport if at all possible – because we must and will maintain social distancing, and capacity will therefore be limited.
- To ensure you are safe at work we have been working to establish new guidance for employers to make workplaces COVID-secure.
- When you do go to work, if possible do so by car or even better by walking or bicycle. But just as with workplaces, public transport operators will also be following COVID-secure standards.
- From this Wednesday, we want to encourage people to take more and even unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise.
- You can sit in the sun in your local park, you can drive to other destinations, (there is no mileage limit) you can even play sports but only with members of your own household.
- You must obey the rules on social distancing and to enforce those rules we will increase the fines for the small minority who break them.
In addition, the Government published a number of FAQ’s about the changes which would be implemented from Wednesday 13th May which can be viewed here.