SHOP doors will remain locked today and shutters firmly in place, at the start of a strict government-enforced lockdown.

All businesses classed as 'non-essential' have been ordered to close for at least three weeks - but there are some exceptions.

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According to the government's own list, these types of trade will be able to continue operating:

  • Restaurants can remain operational for delivery and takeaway ONLY
  • Cafés or canteens at hospitals, care homes or schools
  • Prison and military canteens
  • Hotels, hostels and caravan sites BUT only for guests using them as a primary home, or guests who are key workers and who need accommodation 
  • Services providing food or drink to the homeless
  • Supermarkets and other food shops
  • Health shops
  • Pharmacies including non-dispensing pharmacies
  • Petrol stations
  • Bicycle shops
  • Home and hardware shops
  • Laundrettes and dry cleaners
  • Garages
  • Car rentals
  • Pet shops
  • Corner shops and newsagents
  • Post Offices
  • Banks
  • Market stalls which offer essential retail, such as grocery and food
  • Food banks
  • Places of worship can open ONLY for solitary prayer and for funerals

You can see the list for yourself and more details on the government's website here.

The lockdown came into force last night and will remain in place for at least three weeks, when it will be reviewed.

Aside from the exceptions listed above, these businesses should now be closed today:

  • Restaurants
  • Cafes, including workplace canteens
  • Pubs, bars and nightclubs
  • All retail
  • Hair, beauty and nail salons, including piercing and tattoo parlours
  • Massage parlours
  • Outdoor and indoor markets
  • Auction houses
  • Car showrooms
  • Hotels, hostels, BnBs, campsites, caravans and boarding houses for commercial use
  • Libraries, community centres, youth centres 
  • Places of worship for services
  • Cinemas, theatres and concert halls
  • Museums and galleries
  • Bingo halls, casinos and betting shops
  • Spas Skating rinks
  • Fitness studios, gyms, swimming pools or other indoor leisure centres
  • Arcades, bowling alleys, soft play centres and similar
  • Enclosed spaces in parks, including playgrounds, sports courts and pitches, and outdoor gyms or similar