New lockdown rules for Leeds: When can people meet in larger groups? Childcare, work and other exceptions explained

In a televised address to the nation on Monday night, the Prime Minister told the nation to stay indoors other than for limited exceptions, with measures expected to last until mid-February.

This is due to a new Covid-19 variant which is 50 per cent to 70 per cent more transmissible.

The Government has asked people not to leave their homes unless they have a "reasonable excuse" which includes; work, volunteering, essential activities such as food shopping, education and childcare, visiting people in a support bubble, providing informal childcare, exercising alone, for medical reasons, communal worship, funerals and weddings and animal welfare reasons such as going to the vet.

There are still circumstances in which you are allowed to meet others from outside your household.

These are the circumstances people can meet in larger groups

To work - People can meet in larger groups to work or provide charitable services where it is unreasonable to do so from home,

This includes work in other people's homes where necessary, for example, home care workers, nannies and tradespeople.

In a childcare bubble - If people live in a household with anyone aged under 14, they can form a ‘childcare bubble’.

This allows friends or family from one other household to provide informal childcare.

‘Informal’ childcare means it is unpaid and unregistered.

Members of either household can provide childcare in a home or public place. This includes overnight care.

People can only have one childcare bubble with one other household. This means no household should be part of more than one childcare bubble.

To co-parent children:

If children do not live in the same house as both parents or guardians they are able to travel between them.

​To access education, supervised activities or childcare - People are able to meet in larger groups if they need to access registered childcare or supervised activities for children.

Schools are currently closed until February half term.

Care and adoption - People are able to meet in larger groups to allow contact between birth parents and children in care, as well as between siblings in care.

Prospective adopting parents are also able to meet a child or children who may be placed with them.

Birth - Birth partners are able to attend the hospital with their partner.

Medical care, respite care and deaths - People are able to meet in larger groups to provide emergency assistance, and to avoid injury or illness, or to escape a risk of harm (including domestic abuse).

They can also meet in larger groups to provide care or assistance to someone vulnerable, or to provide respite for a carer.

They are also able to meet in larger groups to visit someone who is dying, or to visit someone receiving treatment in a hospital, hospice or care home, or to accompany a family member or friend to a medical appointment.

Legal obligations - People can meet to fulfil a legal obligation, such as attending court or jury service and for gatherings within criminal justice accommodation or immigration detention centres.

Weddings and funerals - People can gather to attend a wedding. Only six people are currently able to gather for weddings.

The officiant at a wedding would not count towards the limit.

A maximum of 30 people can meet for a funeral service.

Wakes and other linked ceremonial events can continue in a group of up to six people.

To facilitate a house move - People are also able to meet in order to facilitate a house move.

Support groups that have to be delivered in person can continue with up to 15 participants where formally organised to provide mutual aid, therapy or any other form of support - but they must take place at a premises other than a private home.