New lockdown restrictions - your questions answered

Following new lockdown restrictions announced last night (Thursday 30 July), residents of a number of specified areas including Greater Manchester and neighbouring Rossendale and Calderdale have new guidelines to follow.

From today, people can not mix with other households in private homes or gardens, pubs, cafes, restaurants and other leisure or entertainment settings.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/135756/new-restrictions-for-local-residents-in-place-from-today

Here we answer some questions that you may have about the new restrictions.

Can I still meet indoors with people in my support bubble?

Yes. Where people from single adult households (people who live alone or single parents with dependent children aged under 18) have formed a support bubble with another household, they can continue to visit each other, stay overnight, and visit other public places as if they were one household.

What is a support bubble?

If you live by yourself or are a single parent with dependant children aged under 18 - in other words, if there is only one adult in your home - you have been able to expand your close support network so that it includes one other household of any size. This is called making a ‘support bubble’ and means you are able to have close contact with them as you could if they were members of your own household. You should not change or add to your support bubble once formed.

What will be illegal?

It will be illegal for people who do not live together to meet in a private home or garden, except for limited exceptions to be set out in law. You should not host or visit people you do not live with, unless they are in your support bubble. If you live in the affected areas, you should not visit someone’s home or garden regardless of whether this is in or outside of the restricted area.

Can I still meet people outdoors?

In line with the national guidance, you can continue to meet in public outdoor spaces in groups of no more than six people, unless the group includes only people from two households. You cannot meet people you do not live within a private garden.

At all times, you should socially distance from people you do not live with – unless they are in your support bubble.

Can I still meet with my family and friends to celebrate Eid?

You should not host or visit friends and family in each other’s homes or gardens. It will be illegal to do so, unless specific exemptions apply. You also should not meet friends and family in other venues – including restaurants or cafes.

Up to two households, or six people from any number of households may meet outdoors (excluding people’s gardens) where there is a lower risk of infection. If you do so, you should still socially distance from those you do not live with, and avoid physical contact.

You may attend a mosque or other place or worship, where Covid-19 Secure guidance applies, but you must socially distance from people outside of your household. This means maintaining a distance of 2 metres, or 1 metre with mitigations (such as wearing face coverings).

Can I still go to work?

Yes. People living inside and outside of this area can continue to travel in and out for work. Workplaces must implement Covid-19 Secure guidance.

Can I still go to cafes, restaurants, the gym and other public places?

Yes. But you should only go with members of your own household – even if you are going outside of the restricted area.

Can people from outside of the lockdown area visit me at my house?

No. This will be illegal.

Do I still have to shield?

Clinically extremely vulnerable people in Greater Manchester will no longer have to follow the shielding guidance from the 1 August.

Can I still visit a place of worship in the lockdown area?

Yes, but you must socially distance from people outside of your household. This means maintaining a distance of 2 metres, or 1 metre with mitigations (e.g. face coverings). We recommend at this time that if possible prayer/religious services take place outdoors.

Can funerals still take place in the lockdown areas?

Yes. Funerals should be limited to no more than 30 people and subject to COVID-19 Secure guidelines.

People living outside the lockdown areas may travel into the areas to attend a funeral.

Can I holiday in the lockdown area, or visit shops, leisure facilities, or cafes in it?

Yes. However, you must avoid socialising with people indoors when doing so.

What areas are included?

Greater Manchester:

• Bolton
• Bury
• City of Manchester
• Oldham
• Rochdale
• Salford
• Stockport
• Tameside
• Trafford
• Wigan

Lancashire:

• Blackburn with Darwen
• Burnley
• Hyndburn
• Pendle
• Rossendale

West Yorkshire:

• Bradford
• Calderdale
• Kirklees