**What are the new rules?**
The new lockdown rules, which came into effect on 5 November 2020, are as follows:
* People must stay at home, except for essential reasons such as work, education, exercise, or medical appointments.
* All non-essential shops, businesses, and services must close.
* Pubs, bars, and restaurants must close, except for takeaway and delivery services.
* People are advised to work from home if possible.
* Schools, colleges, and universities will remain open.
* People can meet one other person from a different household outdoors, but they must stay two metres apart.
* People can exercise outdoors with one other person from a different household, but they must stay two metres apart.
* Weddings and funerals can take place with a maximum of 15 people attending.
**Who is exempt from the rules?**
The following people are exempt from the new rules:
* Critically ill people and their carers
* People who are providing essential services, such as healthcare workers, police officers, and firefighters
* People who are unable to work from home and must travel to their workplace
* People who are travelling for medical appointments or to care for a vulnerable person
**What are the penalties for breaking the rules?**
People who break the new rules could be fined up to £10,000.
**How long will the lockdown last?**
The lockdown is expected to last for four weeks, until 2 December 2020. However, the government has said that it will review the situation after two weeks and could extend the lockdown if necessary.
**What are the reasons for the lockdown?**
The government has said that the lockdown is necessary to control the spread of COVID-19. The number of cases of COVID-19 has been increasing rapidly in recent weeks, and the government is concerned that the NHS could be overwhelmed if the virus is not brought under control.
**What are the economic consequences of the lockdown?**
The lockdown is likely to have a significant impact on the UK economy. The Centre for Economic Policy Research has estimated that the lockdown could cost the UK economy up to £10 billion per week.
**What are the social consequences of the lockdown?**
The lockdown is also likely to have a significant impact on the social fabric of the UK. People are being asked to stay at home and avoid contact with others, which could lead to loneliness and isolation. The lockdown could also make it difficult for people to access essential services, such as healthcare and education.
**What are the ethical consequences of the lockdown?**
The lockdown raises a number of ethical questions. For example, the lockdown could lead to discrimination against certain groups of people, such as the poor and the homeless. The lockdown could also lead to a violation of human rights, such as the right to freedom of movement and the right to assembly.
The lockdown is a complex and difficult issue with no easy answers. It is important to weigh the potential benefits of the lockdown against the potential costs before making a decision about whether or not to support it..
