Milton Keynes is set to enter a new 'Tier 4' coronavirus alert level from tomorrow.
The Prime Minister announced the move for our city at a press conference this afternoon.
Tier 4 will be the strictest set of coronavirus measures in England and comes just hours after Milton Keynes entered Tier 3 restrictions earlier this morning.
The new rules mean that all non-essential retail in Milton Keynes must close at the end of today, as well as gyms and hairdressers across the city.
People in our area will be told to 'stay at home' under the rules except under limited exceptions - for example if you can't work from home, for education, childcare or exercise.
In addition, people in Milton Keynes will not be allowed 'Christmas bubbles' with other households thanks to the Tier 4 rules.
People should not stay overnight away from your home or go abroad on holiday.
And people outside Tier 4 areas are being advised not to enter an area inside the new restrictions.
The rules mean that only one person from a a household can meet with another person from a different household outside, but exemptions for support and childcare bubbles continue.
Mr Johnson has said the new variant of the virus is behind the changes which "could increase the R by 0.4 or more", although there is still considerable uncertainty.
These are the Tier 4 rules in full:
- Stay at home - this will be put into law so fines will apply if you do not have a relevant excuse
- Exemptions include people needing to travel for education, childcare and exercise
- Unlimited exercise allowed outdoors
- Do not enter Tier 4 areas from other areas and do not leave Tier 4
- Tier 4 residents must not stay overnight away from home
- Work from home if you can
- Gyms closed
- Non-essential retail closed
- Indoor leisure closed
- Indoor entertainment closed
- Personal care sector closed
- Communal worship can take place
- One person can meet just one other person from another household outside - exemptions for support and childcare bubbles
- Do not travel abroad apart from if needed for work
