On 12 October the Prime Minister announced a new three-tier lockdown system for England and since 17 October Tier 2 restrictions apply in London. Under this high alert level, you must not meet indoors with anybody who doesn’t belong to your household or support bubble. This includes someone’s home or in an indoor public place. There are certain exceptions, which are detailed below.

You can meet friends and family outdoors (who are not from your household or support bubble) in groups of up to 6 people, including a garden or other outside space. This limit of 6 includes children of any age.

If you can work from home, please do so. If you cannot work from home, you should go to your place of work. Essential work meetings of up to 30 are permitted indoors, however meeting people outside your households in hospitality settings is not allowed, this applies to work meetings.

You should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible. If you need to travel, please consider walking or cycling where possible. If you need to take public transport, please plan ahead, wear a face covering and avoid busy times and routes.

If you are required to travel into an area at a different local COVID alert level (for example to go to work or school), you should follow the guidance for whichever area has the higher alert level.

Exceptions to meeting indoors

Under tier 2 restrictions you must not meet people indoors but there are certain exceptions where people from different households/bubbles can meet indoors:

• For work in someone’s house or volunteering to provide voluntary or charitable services
• For registered childcare, education or training
• For arrangements where children do not live in the same household as both their parents / guardians
• For supervised activities provided for children, including youth groups and activities, children’s playgroups and informal childcare through childcare bubbles
• For birth partners
• To see someone who is dying
• To provide emergency assistance, to avoid injury or illness, or to escape a risk of harm
• To provide care or assistance to someone vulnerable who cannot cope without support
• To fulfill a legal obligation, such as attending court or jury service
• To facilitate a house move
• For outdoor exercise and dance classes, organised outdoor sport, and licensed outdoor physical activity
• Indoor organised team sports for disabled people, and youth sport
• Support groups of up to 15 participants – formally organised groups to provide mutual aid, therapy or any other form of support (not to take place in private dwellings)
• For a wedding or equivalent ceremony and wedding receptions where the organiser has carried out a risk assessment and taken all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of the virus – up to a maximum of 15 people (not to take place in private dwellings)
• For funerals – up to a maximum of 30 people. Wakes and other commemorative events are permitted with up to 15 people present (not to take place in private dwellings)
• For prospective adopting parents to meet a child or children who may be placed with them
• For protests – if organised in compliance with COVID-secure guidance

Find out more in our Covid-19 Resource Centre.