What would a local lockdown in Bristol look like if it were to happen?

As Leicester emerges from a local lockdown people in Bristol have been urged to stick to the social distancing guidelines in place in order to avoid a similar situation here.

Any local authority which decides a local lockdown is necessary has the power to enforce their own restrictions.

But what restrictions could be put in place for Bristol, based on precautions taken in Leicester, as they begin to emerge from their stricter guidelines?

Seeing other people in a local lockdown

Accoording to the government's website you would have to limit your interactions with people outside of your household or your support bubble (if applicable) as much as possible. Socila distancing would also return to two metres, as opposed to the new one metre plus. You would only be able to form a support bubble with one other household if you are a single adult household, which would remain unchanged for the duration of the local countdown. You would be allowed in other people's gardens but should access them externally where possible.

You should avoid using toilets in other people's homes, and not use paddling pools or other gardening equipment as well as plates and utensils.

If someone does visit your home you should try to wuipe down any surfaces including door handles which they may have touched.

Playing sport in a local lockdown

Up to six people from different households would still be able to meet up to pay sport outdoors, as long as they can all keep two metres apart.

Travelling in a local lockdown

Nobody would be permitted to travel to open spaces outside of the area affected by local lockdown. People in Leicester were able to confirm they were affected by checking their postcode on the government's website.

Woman wearing a PPE mask walks past social distance advisory singns in Leicester (Getty Images)

Which businesses are open in a local lockdown?

In Leicester only non-essential shops were allowed to remain open. Barbers and hairdressers have remained closed as have hospitality businesses.

In a statement to the House of Commons, Mr Hancock said Covid-19 rates in the Leicester “still remain well above the national average and the average for surrounding areas”.

But he added: “We’re now in a position to relax some but not all of the restrictions that were in place.

“From July 24 we’ll be removing the restrictions on schools and early years childcare and taking a more targeted approach to the restrictions on non-essential retail, replacing the national decision to close non-essential retail with a local power to close them where necessary.”