What do the latest coronavirus lockdown laws say?

Laws have been introduced imposing lockdown restrictions in areas of northern England.

PA News breaks down what the rules say:

– What happened?

Legislation imposing restrictions on people living in Manchester, parts of East Lancashire and West Yorkshire has been published.

They forbid people from different households to meet in their houses, gardens or other private dwellings.

People are also prohibited from meeting with other people from different households in areas outside the containment zone, such as houses in nearby towns that are not subject to the rules.

And people cannot meet in groups larger than 30 in public places.

– When do the laws come into force?

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions on Assemblies) (North of England) Regulations 2020 come into force from midnight on Wednesday.

– Where do the rules apply?

Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale, Calderdale and Kirklees for now.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock could change the lockdown zone at any time.

Existing laws in Blackburn with Darwen and Bradford have also been changed, meaning those areas are now also subject to these measures.

Similar restrictions apply to Leicester under another set of laws which came into force on Monday.

– What happens if I ignore the rules?

Anyone caught breaking the rules could be fined £100 up to a maximum of £3,200 for repeat offences.

– My partner and I don’t live together and we both share with a few other people, can we still see each other?

Not in any house or any other place considered a private dwelling according to the laws.

Critics have labeled the laws as a revival of the so-called “block sex ban” because they prohibit meetings between people from different households in their homes and define a gathering as “when two or more people are present together in the same place to engage in any form of social interaction with each other or undertake any other activity with each other”.

But up to 30 people can meet in public places.

However, government guidance still recommends social distancing when meeting people from other households.

– How about going on vacation or for a night in the area?

Apparently this is still allowed and the law doesn’t specify any limits on who you can do this with.

The ban does not extend to places such as hotels, campgrounds, trailer parks, members’ clubs, bed and breakfasts or bed and breakfasts.

– Are there other exemptions?

Yes.

The rules do not apply to buildings such as care homes or children’s homes.

Those who do not have to comply with the restrictions include: those who have formed a support bubble and become “tied” households; people who share childcare tasks; people meeting for work; to attend a birth at the request of the mother; to visit a dying loved one; to fulfill a legal obligation; To move the house; to care for a vulnerable person or to escape injury, illness or risk of harm.

– How long have the laws been in force?

The restrictions are to be reviewed every 14 days, with the first taking place by August 19.

But they could be in force for up to six months if they are not scrapped by the Government in the meantime.