The new restrictions announced by the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson to reduce the spread of coronavirus in England mean that holiday makers and second home owners won’t be able to visit holiday destinations including Swanage from Thursday 5th November until Wednesday 2nd December 2020.
In the news conference on Saturday 31st October 2020, Boris Johnson said that the lockdown was essential in the face of a rapidly rising number of COVID-19 cases. Referring to the south west of England he said:
“Even in the south west, where incidence was so low, and still is so low, it is now clear that current projections mean they will run out of hospital capacity in a matter of weeks unless we act.”
Stay at home
More detail on the new measures will be released over the next few days but these are the main points that will most impact Swanage residents and businesses.
The key message is to stay at home as much as possible. The main exceptions are:
- For childcare or education, where this is not provided online
- For work purposes, where your place of work remains open and where you cannot work from home (including if your job involves working in other people’s homes)
- To exercise outdoors or visit an outdoor public place – with the people you live with, with your support bubble or, when on your own, with one person from another household. An outdoor public place does not include a private garden.
- For any medical concerns, reasons, appointments and emergencies, or to avoid or escape risk of injury or harm – such as domestic abuse
- Shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which should be as infrequent as possible
- To visit members of your support bubble or provide care for vulnerable people, or as a volunteer
How will the restrictions affect businesses?
No holidays and visiting second homes
Overnight stays and holidays away from primary residences will not be allowed – including holidays in the UK and abroad. This includes staying in a second home, if you own one, or staying with anyone you do not live with or are in a support bubble with.
There are specific exceptions, for example if you need to stay away from home (including in a second home) for work purposes.
Closure of hospitality venues
Restaurants, bars and pubs must close, but can still provide takeaway and delivery services. However, takeaway of alcohol will not be allowed.
Accommodation only for business travel not holidays
Hotels, B and Bs, hostels and other accommodation should only open for those who have to travel for work purposes.
Closure of all non-essential retail
This includes gift shops, art galleries, clothing shops and travel agents, which will see the vast majority of shops in Swanage close. Non-essential retail can remain open for delivery to customers and click-and-collect.
Closure of indoor and outdoor leisure facilities
Leisure centres and gyms, sports facilities including swimming pools, and golf courses will all have to be shut. This will mean that the Purbeck Sports Centre will close to the public, along with the Isle of Purbeck Golf Course.
Closure of entertainment venues
This includes theatres, cinemas, museums and galleries, arcades, and zoos and other animal attractions. This will mean that The Mowlem will have to close and cancel its programme for most of November. It will also affect Durlston Castle and the Fine Foundation Gallery, The Tank Museum and Monkey World.
Closure of personal care facilities
Hair, beauty and nail salons will all have to close.
Retailers providing essential goods and services to remain open
Food shops, supermarkets, garden centres and certain other retailers providing essential goods like bakeries and butchers can remain open. So Budgens and the Co-op will stay open as they did throughout the last lockdown.
Other points
- All schools and universities will remain open, along with childcare facilities
- Some youth services may be able to continue, such as 1to1 youth work and support groups, but most youth clubs and groups will need to stop
- No shielding programme for the clinically vulnerable but people in that group should be especially careful to follow the rules and minimise their contact with others
- Everyone who can work effectively from home must do so
- The furlough scheme will continue until December 2020 with employees being paid 80 percent of their salary up to £2,500 a month
Further information
- The Swanage Community Coronavirus Response group aims to share information and support each other during the coronavirus pandemic. It is there to help anyone who needs assistance with neighbourly tasks like shopping, picking up medicines or a friendly chat. The group can be reached via Facebook or its Swanage Neighbours website
- Government information about coronavirus and the latest restrictions are on its website
- Government statistics about coronavirus are also on its website
