Six ways that ‘Lockdown 2’ is different to the first
Despite the deja-vu, it's important to note that things are different this time around in a number of ways. Here're some of the ways in which Lockdown Two varies to the restrictions in March.
Exactly four months ago, everything was beginning to look so much better.
Some pupils had returned to schools. Non-essential shops had begun to reopen. Football had kicked off again. Even pubs and restaurants had resumed serving customers.
But after a flickeringly brief return to a life that somewhat resembled normality, national COVID cases have now spiralled out of control the point where England has been forced to go back into hiding.
The first one lasted over three months. This one is supposed to end in four weeks.
Whether we exit Lockdown 2 on time remains to be seen. But despite the deja-vu, it’s important to note that this lockdown is different in a number of ways.
When the first lockdown came into force in March, the rules on meeting others were very strict.
The government banned socialising in most circumstances, but over time, exceptions to the rule were introduced – such as ‘bubbles’.
The official guidance this time around is more relaxed. You can actually meet one other person outside your bubble provided you’re outdoors, and you can bring your children along with you.
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The government states: “You can exercise or visit outdoor public places with the people you live with; your support bubble or, when on your own, 1 person from another household. Children under 5, as well as disabled people dependent on round-the-clock care are not counted towards the limit on two people meeting outside.”
Schools, universities and colleges will remain open during Lockdown 2 – unlike back in March when all education facilities were swiftly shut.
The decision to keep schools open has not been without controversy, with many individuals, unions and even Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham asking the government to reconsider and close these premises until December 2.
But as things stand, schools are set to remain operational throughout Lockdown 2 – with COVID safety rules in place and the use of masks in communal areas.
All checkups and scheduled visits to dentists, opticians and other health services were cancelled during the first lockdown – with only emergency appointments available.
This time, however, health facilities are staying open.
The government states: “The majority of public services will continue and you will be able to leave home to visit them. These include the NHS and medical services like GPs and dentists. We are supporting the NHS to safely carry out urgent and non-urgent services and it is vital anyone who thinks they need any kind of medical care comes forward and seeks help.”
The most vulnerable people in England were told to ‘shield’ during the last lockdown – staying away from public places as much as possible whilst receiving extra support at home.
However, the government has confirmed it will not be encouraging people to shield in the same way during Lockdown 2.
Instead, the most vulnerable are being told to exercise caution – and whilst they are still advised to avoid busy public places like shops, they can exercise and go to schools.
5. Travel rules are slightly different
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The government is discouraging all but essential trips around Britain and abroad, but there are a few subtle differences this time around.
For starters, anyone already abroad is not being urged to return home immediately, but should contact their carrier to determine travel arrangements. A 14-day self-isolation period may be required upon arrival, depending on where they’re travelling from.
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The full list of travel exemptions this time around includes:
travelling to work where this cannot be done from home
travelling to education and for caring responsibilities
to visit those in your support bubble – or your childcare bubble for childcare
hospital, GP and other medical appointments or visits where you have had an accident or are concerned about your health
to buy goods or services from premises that are open, including essential retail
to spend time or exercise outdoors – this should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel to do so if necessary (for example, to access an open space)
attending the care and exercise of a pet, or veterinary services
In spring, the government declared that nobody should be leaving their house on more than one occasion to exercise.
That’s not the case this time.
Indeed, people are being encouraged to exercise as often as they like – provided they maintain their distance from others when outdoors.
Learn more about the restrictions coming into force today here.
News
Derelict Manchester office block to become ‘vital’ accommodation for homeless families
Emily Sergeant
A derelict former office block in Manchester is set to become vital accommodation for homeless families in the region.
Manchester City Council has announced that, subject to planning approval, new temporary accommodation for dozens of homeless families will be created on the site of a derelict former office block in south Manchester, off Nell Lane in Chorlton.
The Council acquired the 1.1 acre site last month with the support of the Government’s Local Authority Housing Fund.
The initiative – which is part of wider plans to boost the city’s stock of quality temporary accommodation – will see self-contained two-bedroom accommodation created for around 55 homeless families built where former NHS offices, Mauldeth House, currently stand.
Mauldeth House has been empty for several years now at this point, and had become somewhat of a ‘blight’ on the neighbourhood, attracting anti-social behaviour along the way and being targeted by squatters – but with the plans for the new accommodation, this could change for the better.
The site, and therefore the new accommodation, is said to be ‘ideally located’ for families, as it’s close to shops, schools, public transport, leisure facilities, and Chorlton Park.
The new accommodation will see families supported by a specialist team based on site to help them move on as quickly as possible into permanent settled tenancies, which is, of course, the long-term goal for many.
The Mauldeth House initiative is cited as being one example of the Council’s drive to increase its temporary accommodation stock across the city to reduce the number of out-of-area placements.
Other successful examples of this initiative include Mariana House in Whalley Range, and The Poplars in Rusholme.
It also comes after it was announced last month that homeless children in Greater Manchester, particularly those who are placed in temporary accommodation out of area for their school, will now get free bus travel to and from school.
“Mauldeth House is a great example of how we can put derelict properties to good use to benefit those experiencing homelessness, as well as making our neighbourhood look better,” explained Deputy Council Leader, Cllr Joanna Midgley.
“We are tackling homelessness on many fronts, the most important one being prevention, but we also need an increased supply of good quality temporary accommodation within the city so that if people do become homeless they are not uprooted from their social support networks.
“One of the ways we are doing this is through the innovative use of existing sites whether they are council owned or we are able to acquire them, as in the case of Mauldeth House.”
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
News
Bolton woman who falsely accused 10 men of raping her has been jailed
Emily Sergeant
A woman from Bolton who falsely accused 10 different men of raping her over a six-year period has now been jailed.
Stacey Sharples, 31 from Farnworth in Bolton, pleaded guilty of 10 counts of perverting the course of justice in relation to reports against 10 separate men at Bolton Crown Court earlier last month (2 February 2026), before appearing in court again this week to be sentenced.
The investigation into Sharples was launched after the arrests and questioning of almost all these men, and following the pursuing of all relevant lines of enquiry, which consistently revealed evidence contrary to what had been disclosed by Sharples.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) says investigations of this nature are ‘extremely rare’ and the decision to pursue Sharples as a suspect was ‘not one taken lightly’.
“However, it is our duty to act in the public interest and on the evidence and information we uncover and receive, which in this case demonstrated a continuous, wilful making of false allegations, knowing full well the consequences for each of the men involved,” GMP said in a statement following Sharples’ sentencing.
Of the allegations Sharples pleaded guilty to – of which were made over a six-year period between 2013 and 2019 – most of the men were arrested and spent time in custody, with some also undertaking intimate examinations, and almost all spending periods of time on police bail or released under investigation.
Statements from the men accused by Stacey Sharples / Credit: GMP
GMP says there’s ‘no doubt’ the reports and arrests have had an impact on these men, their sense of self and relationships, their wider networks, and how they move forward with their lives.
False accounts also undermine those who have genuinely experienced sexual violence.
Police say it also affects the confidence in the criminal justice system, and that the time spent investigating Sharples’ reports could have been put towards investigating ‘genuine reports of sexual offences’ instead.
Sharples has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison this week after pleading guilty to making false rape allegations.
Speaking following Sharples’ sentencing this week, Detective Sergeant Steven Gilliland, who investigated this case, said: “We took the allegations made by Stacey Sharples seriously, explored all lines of enquiry and swiftly made arrests or interviewed of all the men she accused.
“We gave her multiple opportunities to provide further explanation or information to us, after interviews with the men and subsequent evidence uncovered didn’t align with her first recollection, as we understand that trauma can impact how victims and survivors recount their experiences.
“Ultimately, as the evidence continued to demonstrate that the reports were untrue, coupled with the desire for justice from some of the men who had been falsely accused, it was right that we followed the evidence and pursued the individual who had actually committed a criminal offence.”
The Manc -
5th November 2020 
