Christmas time, social distancing and wine…

Lockdown ends on 2 December, and Plymouth enters Tier 2 of Coronavirus restrictions, so what does that mean for Christmas shopping, meeting your mates and having a festive drink down the pub?

We’ve put together some dos and don’ts for getting out and about post lockdown.

Do:

• Wear a face covering when in shops and the mall, and anywhere where you aren’t able to keep 2 metres away from other people
• Plan ahead and try to avoid the busiest shopping periods for peace of mind
• Only meet up with people from other households or support bubble outside, following the rule of six
• Follow the rules and guidance set out by shops for safe shopping and numbers of people inside
• Be prepared to queue outside shops if its busy

Don’t:

• Meet up with people outside of your household or support bubble inside any shops, pubs or restaurants
• Get too close to other shoppers. Stay 2 metres away where possible and make sure you follow the social distancing guidance in stores to maintain a safe distance
• Leave all your shopping to the last minute – we know it will be busy, but shops will be open longer and later so you don’t need to cram your shopping into the last Saturday before Christmas

Can I visit Plymouth?

If you’re in Tier 1 or Tier 2 you can visit Plymouth, provided that you follow the guidelines from your tier area whilst you’re here. If you’re in Tier 3 you are advised not to travel outside of your area. You can see the full Government Tier guidance here.

Am I allowed to stay overnight on a visit to Plymouth?

Under the Tier 2 guidance you’re not able to stay overnight in any house that isn’t your own or part of your support bubble.

Hotels, B&B’s and other forms of accommodation will be reopening from 2 December, but for now you aren’t able to travel and stay overnight with anyone outside of your own household in Plymouth. Remember to check in advance with any accommodation providers to see what COVID-19 measures they have in place and to follow their rules to keep you and others safe. You can see a list of ‘We’re good to go’ approved accommodation here.

Can I go Christmas shopping with my friends?

You can meet up to five other people outside under Tier 2 regulations. So this means that you can meet your friends outside whilst heading to do your Christmas shopping, but you cannot meet inside or go into shops together as a group.

If you want to meet with friends for a bit of festive shopping, you could grab a take away coffee and a stroll to see the Christmas lights, or grab a bite to eat from the festive food stalls on the piazza before heading off on your separate ways to do your shopping.

What about shopping with my household?

Yes you can go shopping with people from within your household or support bubble. It’s expected to be busy once shops reopen on 2 December so try to plan ahead and avoid the busiest periods so that you can enjoy shopping for your Christmas gifts. Many shops will be extending their opening hours meaning you’ll have more options to shop and avoid the crowds and queues.

Some shops will have their own restrictions so do plan ahead and check individual retailers websites for more information.

What’s happened to the rule of six?

The rule of six still applies, but in Tier 2 you can only meet people from other households outside, including in a garden or public space.

Can I go to a beer garden with my friends?

If you’re wanting to go to a pub garden or outside restaurant area with people from different households the rule of six applies outside. So you can go to a beer garden with your friends, but if you’re wanting an alcoholic drink you’ll need to eat a substantial meal too.

If we all follow the rules to look out for each other and keep the virus at bay we all have a better chance at getting back to normal life and seeing our loved ones quicker. So remember to follow the Hands, Face, Space guidance at all times when out of the home:

• Hands: Wash your hands more regularly for 20 seconds or more using soap and water or hand sanitiser. Make sure to wash your hands when coming home or before eating.
• Face: Wear a face covering in shops, on public transport and when moving around inside venues and indoor spaces, and wherever you’re unable to keep a 2 metre distance from others. Your face covering should cover your nose and mouth and securely fit the sides of your face to be most effective.
• Space: Keep a 2 metre distance from other people wherever possible, following the social distancing guidelines.