Key points in COVID lockdown Mark 2 Restrictions will start at midnight on Thursday morning and last until December 2. People can only leave their homes for specific reasons, such as to do essential shopping, for outdoor exercise, and for work if they are unable to work from home.Non-essential shops will be told to shut, although supermarkets do not need to close off aisles as has happened in Wales.Restaurants and bars will be told to close unless they can operate a takeaway service. Travel abroad is only permitted for ‘essential’ reasons such as work, people can still return to the UK from abroad Leisure centres, gyms, sporting venues, hairdressers and beauty parlours will have to close, although professional sport will continue. Key businesses that cannot operate remotely – such as construction – should carry on as before with safety precautions.Places of worship can stay open for private prayer. Funerals are limited to close family only. The furlough scheme will be extended during the period of the lockdown, rather than ending tomorrow as originally planned. Exercise is permitted with no limits on frequency, but organised sports – including outdoor activities such as golf – will not be permitted. When the lockdown lapses the Tiers system will be reinstated, leaving…