Coronavirus: What you need to know

London is at a critical moment in the fight against COVID-19. The virus is spreading rapidly in every corner of our city. Hospital admissions are rising and more Londoners are being admitted into Intensive Care Units. Time and again it has been shown that it is better to act earlier than to act too late – which would cost more lives and damage more livelihoods.

That is why, following discussions between the Mayor, ministers and London’s senior health advisers and council leaders, the Government will move London into ‘Tier 2’ High Alert Level restrictions from Saturday 17 October. 

This is what you need to know:

  1. You must not meet socially with anyone you don’t live with in an indoor setting, unless they are in your support bubble. This includes in your home or inside a pub or restaurant.  This is to help slow the spread of the virus.  Overnight stays are only allowed if they are with your own household or support bubble. 

  1. You can meet people outdoors, including in a garden, but the rule of six still applies. Meeting in groups larger than six is against the law.  

  1. If you live in a high alert level area you also cannot meet indoors with people outside of the area, unless exceptions apply. 

  1. Work from home if you can. 

  1. Professional childcare arrangements can continue and informal childcare arrangements for under 14s can continue in private homes. These must be done by creating a childcare bubble between the same two households. Friends or family who do not live with you and are not part of a support or childcare bubble must not visit your home to help with childcare. Childcare bubbles are to be used to provide childcare only, and not for the purpose of social mixing between households. 

  1. Exercise classes can continue outdoors but indoor classes are only permitted if it’s possible to avoid mixing with people outside your household or support bubble. Exercise classes for young people or people with disabilities are allowed. 

  1. Pubs, restaurants, and other hospitality venues remain open but will only offer table service. You must only go to these venues with those in your household or support bubble and you must wear a face covering at all times, except when you’re sitting down to eat or drink. Staff will also wear face coverings during their shift.  

  1. Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues will close at 10pm. Restaurants will be allowed to carry on doing deliveries after 10pm.  

  1. The maximum number of people who can attend wedding ceremonies and receptions is 15. Funerals can still allow a maximum of 30 people.   

  1. Aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible. If you need to use public transport, do so on off-peak times. 

  1. Face coverings are compulsory in many settings. This includes on public transport for the entire journey, in taxis and public hire vehicles, in shops, banks, cinemas, galleries, and places of worship.  You should also wear a face covering when you cannot keep a safe distance from others. Read more on face covering guidance.  

  1. Police can issue fines to those who refuse to comply with the rules. Fines for failing to wear a face covering if you do not have an exemption, or for breaking the rule of six start at Â£200 (lowered to £100 if paid within 14 days) and can increase to as much as £6,400 for repeated breaches.  If you hold, or are involved in holding, an illegal gathering of over 30 people, the police can issue fines of £10,000. If you break the rules on self-isolation you could be fined up to £10,000.  Fines will also apply to business breaking COVID-19 rules.  

  1. If you have been the victim of crime, or are feeling threatened, controlled or abused at home, help is available. Under the new rules, you can still make any journeys you need to keep you and your family safe, and you can meet with people outside your bubble to get help. 

These restrictions are in addition to the wider health guidance everyone must continue to follow: 

  1. Keep a safe distance from others.  Stay two metres apart from people you do not live with as much as possible.   

  1. Wash your hands frequently and carry hand sanitiser when you are out.  

  1. Avoid crowds and limit contact with those you don’t live with. 

  1. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms (high fever, continuous cough, loss of taste or smell) then self-isolate immediately and request a test as soon as you can. 

Londoners have made monumental sacrifices during this pandemic and now, more than ever, we all have to stick together to defeat this deadly disease.

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