This content was last updated on 05 January 2021.
Government has declared a national lockdown, with a clear instruction to "stay at home." Approximately 1 in 3 people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and could be spreading it without realising it.
This page is accurate based on the information and guidance we have received from government. We will update this page with any further information we receive.
For full detailed information on restrictions please visit GOV.UK - coronavirus.
Under lockdown restrictions you must not leave or be outside of your home or garden except where you have a 'reasonable excuse'. This includes
Please note:
You should minimise the time you spend outside your home.
You can exercise in a public outdoor place:
You have to meet certain eligibility rules to form a support or childcare bubble. Unfortunately this means not everyone will be able to form a bubble.
A support bubble is a support network which links two households. You can form a support bubble with another household of any size only if you meet the eligibility rules.
You are permitted to leave your home to visit your support bubble (and to stay overnight with them). However, if you form a support bubble, it is best if this is with a household who live locally. This will help prevent the virus spreading from an area where more people are infected.
If you live in a household with anyone aged under 14, you can form a childcare bubble. This allows friends or family from one other household to provide informal childcare.
You must not meet socially with your childcare bubble and must avoid seeing members of your childcare and support bubbles at the same time.
For up-to-date information visit the government's website
There are still circumstances in which you are allowed to meet others from outside your household or support bubble in larger groups, but this should not be for socialising and only for permitted purposes.
More details are available on GOV.UK website - National Lockdown guidance
You must not leave your home unless you have a reasonable excuse (e.g. for work or education purposes).
If you need to travel you should stay local - meaning avoiding travelling outside of your village, town or the part of a city where you live - and look to reduce the number of journeys you make overall.
The list of reasons you can leave your home and area include, but are not limited to:
If you need to travel, walk or cycle where possible, and plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport. This will allow you to practice social distancing while you travel.
Avoid car sharing with anyone from outside your household or your support bubble. See the guidance on car sharing.
If you need to use public transport, you should follow the safer travelguidance.
If you have been defined as clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus you should work from home. Please stay at home as much as possible, except for exercise outdoors or medical treatment.
If you cannot work from home there may be support such as Statutory Sick Pay (SS) or Employment Support Allowance (ESA).
For further advice please see GOV.UK - Clinically Extremely Vulnerable
If you are isolated by COVID-19 and need help please get in touch with Preston Together Community Hub on 01772 906777 or email support@preston.gov.uk
Lancashire Volunteer Partnership offer services, if you need someone to speak to.
The Local Authority Emergency Assistance Grant is to help support residents of the Preston area who do not have enough resources to meet the immediate short-term needs and urgently require assistance with food and essentials items.
You must be experiencing financial hardship as a direct result of Covid-19 and awards will be made where there is no alternative means of meeting the need.
For the latest information on coronavirus testing in Preston, please visit our Coronavirus testing page, using the button below.
View our Coronavirus testing page
You may be asked to self-isolate for a number of reasons including a positive test for you, someone in your household, if you've been contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service or whether you are experiencing coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms.
For more information on the importance of self-isolating as well as accessing the Test and Trace Support Payment for people on low income who are required to self-isolate, please visit our self-isolating page.
View information on self-isolating due to coronavirus
Everyone who can work effectively from home must do so. Where this is not possible (such as critical national infrastructure, construction or manufacturing) they should continue to travel to work and attend their workplace.
Public sector employees working in essential services, including education settings, should continue to go into work.
All work places must closely follow Covid-secure guidelines, and extra consideration should be given to those at higher risk.
If you are concerned about the implementation of COVID secure measures in a business, workplace or other public building please report this by using our Coronavirus report form.
For the latest information on coronavirus testing in Preston, please visit our Coronavirus testing page, using the button below.
You may be asked to self-isolate for a number of reasons including a positive test for you, someone in your household, if you've been contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service or whether you are experiencing coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms.
For more information on the importance of self-isolating as well as accessing the Test and Trace Support Payment for people on low income who are required to self-isolate, please visit our self-isolating page.
View information on self-isolating due to coronavirus
For a comprehensive list of COVID-19 symptoms visit NHS - COVID-19.
If you are displaying these symptoms or feel unwell please get tested as soon as possible. Where practical please avoid the use of taxis or public transport to attend a testing site.
Help for vulnerable people is still available via Preston Together
For the latest guidance and exemptions visit GOV.UK - Face coverings - when to wear one and how to make your own.
The new legislation means it's a legal requirement to wear a face covering in shops and supermarkets.
Police can issue fines of £200 for non-compliance and have the powers to enforce the requirement to wear face coverings in certain premises and on public transport.
You can report any non-compliance Covid-19 issues to the Police using their Covid-19 online report form.
On public transport, for example, those who obstruct or ignore orders from police "without reasonable excuse" commit an offence and can be prosecuted.
From Thursday 24 September you must wear a face covering in pubs, cafes and restaurants except when seated at a table to eat or drink. This means you must wear a face covering when being shown to a table, when leaving the venue and when going to and from toilet facilities.
There are different rules for customers and employees regarding the wearing of a face covering.
Exemptions do still apply and employees who are unsure should contact their employer for further guidance.
You must wear a face covering, unless exempt:
GOV.UK provides guidance on the use of face coverings at work.
Employers must make sure that the risk assessment for their business addresses the risks of COVID-19 using BEIS guidance to inform decisions and control measures including close proximity working.
From 24 September:
If you are unsure of how this applies to you, please contact your employer
Some people are exempt from face covering, including: