Here's what the new lockdown rules will mean for Northamptonshire

Town centres became ghost towns during the first national lockdown in March

After months being warned about the threat of a local lockdown and two weeks on from being placed in the lowest tier of the Government's National Covid Alert System, Northamptonshire will shut up shop along with the rest of the country from Thursday.

Boris Johnson announced details of a new national lockdown for people in England, which will last at least until December 2.

The Prime Minister told a Downing Street press conference: "Now is the time to take action because there is no alternative."

Stores across the region saw huge queues on Sunday despite please not to panic buy. Photo: Getty Images

Just as in the first national lockdown in March, people are being told to stay at home, pubs and restaurants will close — though takeaways will stay open — non-essential shops will be shut. Here's what the new rules will mean.

■ People should stay at home except for education, work unless it can be done from home, exercise and recreation, medical reasons, shopping for food and other essentials, or to care for others

■ All pubs and restaurants must close, although takeaways and deliveries can continue

■ All non-essential shops will close, although supermarkets can sell non-essential goods

■ Households will not be allowed to mix with others indoors, or in private gardens

■ Individuals can meet one person from outside their household in an outside public space

■ Support bubbles for people who live alone and households made up of single parents and children can continue

■ Children will be able to move between homes if their parents are separated

■ Schools, colleges and universities will remain open

■ Places of worship will close except for private prayer, funerals, childcare or for use as foodbanks

■ Workplaces will be asked to stay open if people cannot work from home — including construction and manufacturing

■ Outdoor exercise and recreation will be allowed, but gyms and swimming pools will have to close

■ Clinically vulnerable advised not to go to work if they are unable to work from home

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