Liverpool lockdown update: your questions answered

***UPDATE – The full list of new rules for Liverpool City Region – Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens, and Wirral have now been published by the Government and you can find them here.

Liverpool’s Lockdown is now tighter. The Government’s announcement puts Liverpool City Region – Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens, and Wirral – under stricter restrictions from midnight tonight. (Friday 2 October)

But with the new rules due to come into force at midnight tonight a lot of people have contacted The Guide Liverpool with questions they still had about what they could and couldn’t do as restrictions around Liverpool’s lockdown tighten.

We put the questions to Liverpool City Council and here are the answers …

If I live on my own, is my social bubble my household?

A single person can be in a bubble with one other household.

My daughter has gone away to university, so she is in a bubble with her student mates and people in her accommodation, so is that her household now? Or is her household still home?

Her household is the group of people she is currently living with.

So, what is a household?

The group of people you live with.

I don’t live with my partner, but can I still meet them if I’m outdoors and distanced?

There is no law preventing that, but the advice is that you should not mix with another household outdoors.

I go to see, and care for, my elderly dad who lives outside Liverpool City Region. Can I still go to see him?

Yes – that would be classed as essential travel.

Can I still look after my grandchildren if they are part of a different household?

What about gym classes – they are indoors and with people who aren’t in my household. Can I still go to them?

Yes. They are classed as a COVID-safe environment because of the measures they have in place.

Can I go to the pub to eat with people from another household if we all sit outside?

There is no law preventing that but the advice is that you should not.

How long are the new restrictions going to last?

They will be reviewed every two weeks.

The rules say we should only visit a care home in exceptional circumstances, but what is an exceptional circumstance?

Care homes can advise on this, but an example would be someone receiving end of life care.

We are being advised to only travel for essential reasons, but does that just apply to public transport or our own cars as well?

It is all travel, except for that to work and school.

Can I still visit my favourite museum in Liverpool?

Yes, as long as you stay within your own household and wear a face covering. Most museums and major attractions are still open in Liverpool.

Can my friends visit Liverpool from outside of the city?

Yes, but they must only stay in any form of accommodation with members of their own household or support bubble.

Get more advice from Liverpool City Council about the Liverpool lockdown on their dedicated Coronavirus support page here.