From Thursday, the 5th of November all restaurants, pubs, and non-essential shops will have to close for four weeks up until the 2nd of December. After that, the restrictions will be eased and England will go back to the tiered system. 

Essential retail such as food shops, supermarkets, garden centres and certain other retailers providing essential goods and services can remain open while following COVID-secure guidelines to protect customers, visitors and workers. Non-essential retail can remain open for delivery to customers and click-and-collect.

Hospitality venues like restaurants, bars and pubs must close, but can still provide takeaway and delivery services. However, takeaway of alcohol will not be allowed.

The Job Retention Scheme will be prolonged until December where the Government will cover 80% of employees’ salary for hours not worked, up to a maximum of £2,500. The cost for employers of retaining workers will be reduced compared to the current scheme, which ended on the 31st of October. Businesses will have the flexibility to bring furloughed employees back to work on a part-time basis or furlough them full-time, and will only be asked to cover National Insurance and employer pension contributions which, for the average claim, accounts for just 5% of total employment costs. Small and large businesses as well as charitable and non-profit are eligible for the scheme. Further details, including how to claim this extended support through an updated claims service, will be provided shortly.

Businesses required to close in England due to local or national restrictions will be eligible for business grants, learn more here. 

From Thursday 5 November, everyone must stay at home, and may leave only for a limited set of reasons. These include:

·         For education;

·         For work, if you cannot work from home;

·         For exercise and recreation outdoors, with your household, support bubble or on your own with one person from another household;

·         For all medical reasons, appointments and to escape injury or harm;

·         To shop for food and essentials;

·         And to provide care for vulnerable people, or as a volunteer.