W L
LOCKDOWN - WHAT ARE THE RULES ?
On Monday 4 January the Prime Minister announced a new national lockdown . This means you must not leave your home except where necessary and schools across the country will close . People are being urged to stay at home , protect the NHS and save lives .
During lockdown , for what reasons can I leave home ? You may leave the home to :
• shop for basics , for you or a vulnerable person
• go to work , or provide voluntary or charitable services , if you cannot do so from home
• exercise with your household ( or support bubble ) or one other person . This should be limited to once a day , and you should not travel outside your local area
• meet your support bubble or childcare bubble – for those eligible
• seek medical assistance or avoid injury , illness or risk of harm ( including domestic abuse )
• attend education or childcare - for those eligible If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you should only go out for medical appointments , exercise or if it is essential . You should not attend work .
Can I meet up with friends and family ? It is against the law to meet socially with family or friends unless they are part of your household or support bubble ( if you are legally permitted to form one ). You may exercise with one other person who is outside your household or support bubble , once a day and keep it local .
What ’ s happening with schools ? One of the most significant changes to come out of the new national lockdown is that all schools and colleges are required again to limit attendance until mid-February meaning only children of key workers and vulnerable students can attend in person . Individual schools will be co-ordinating this change for parents and pupils with plans to carry out effective homeschooling online for those who need to stay at home . Early Years settings can remain open .
How are Council services affected ? All libraries , leisure centres and museums are closed in the short term , but many online services continue . Parks and playgrounds will remain open to the public . Visitors should stick to all the lockdown guidelines around exercise , households mixing and social distancing . Please visit wirralview . com for the latest updates .
Are the tips closed ? Will my bins be emptied ? Household Waste Collections are unaffected at this time , as is the ERIC ( bulky waste collections ) service . Local waste and recycling centres – operated by Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority – currently remain open , with some advice in place to ensure it can be as Covid-secure as possible .
What about weddings , civil partnerships , funerals and registrars ? Weddings , civil partnership ceremonies and funerals are allowed with strict limits on attendance and venue – bar exceptional circumstances . Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people . For weddings and civil partnership ceremonies it ’ s up to six people . The registrars ’ office will be open for registering births and marriages by appointment only .
Visit wirral . gov . uk for the latest updates as this guidance is liable to change .
All information accurate at time of printing . For the latest guidance visit gov . uk / coronavirus
8 wirrallife . com