Date:
On Monday 4 January 2021, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a new national lockdown starting from yesterday (Tuesday 5 January 2021) until mid-February 2021, when the national COVID-19 situation will be reviewed and further announcements made by the Government.
This means you must stay at home. This is the single most important action you can take to protect the NHS and save lives.
Summary of the lockdown restrictions
When you can leave home
You must not leave or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:
- Shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person.
- Go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home.
- Exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
- Meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one.
- Seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse).
- Attend education or childcare – for those eligible.
Read more about when you can leave home
Meeting others
- You cannot leave your home to meet socially with anyone you do not live with or are not in a support bubble with (if you are legally permitted to form one).
- You may exercise on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble.
- You should not meet other people you do not live with, or have formed a support bubble with, unless for a permitted reason.
- Stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household.
Read more about meeting others
Clinically extremely vulnerable
The government is advising the clinically extremely vulnerable to begin shielding again. Letters will be sent to individuals with advice on what this means for them.
If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, you should not attend work, school, college or university, and limit the time you spend outside the home. You should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential.
Support and childcare bubbles
You have to meet certain eligibility rules to form a support or childcare bubble. This means not everyone will be able to form a bubble.
Read the eligibility rules for support bubbles
Read the eligibility rules for childcare bubbles
Schools and childcare
All primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and universities in England are required to teach via remote learning until mid-February.
Find out more about education settings
Only children of critical workers and vulnerable children and young people should attend school or college.
Read guidance for critical workers and vulnerable children
Early years settings such as nurseries, alternative provision and special schools will remain open. Vulnerable children and children of critical workers can continue to use registered childcare, childminders and other childcare activities.
Businesses and public venues
To reduce social contact, the regulations require some businesses to close and impose restrictions on how some businesses provide goods and services.
Find out which businesses must close and which can remain open
Further information
View an infographic featuring a summary of the lockdown restrictions
Increased COVID testing available in Woking
More than ever, it is critical that you book a Coronavirus test and self-isolate if you’re experiencing symptoms, including:
- a high temperature
- a new continuous cough
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.
Testing units are operating at Woking Park Car Park and Sheerwater Recreation Ground Car Park.
If you’ve got symptoms, pre-book a test via the NHS. Please note you will be turned away if you have not pre-booked a slot.
Please only book an appointment if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
Find out how to book a Coronavirus test