ON Monday, shops, hairdressers, nail salons, libraries and beer gardens were allowed to reopen.

Basingstoke town centre has been bustling with shoppers desperate for a bargain or two with queues forming outside some shops.

With all the excitement, it can be easy to forget the rules that are still in place as we enter stage two of the roadmap.

It is important that shoppers follow the rules whilst out enjoying their new found freedom to avoid the risk of a fine or prosecution.

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The official Government guidance states: "You must not meet indoors with anybody you do not live with, unless you have formed a support bubble with them (if you are eligible), or another legal exemption applies."

This means shopping indoors with anyone outside of you household or support bubble could land you with a fine of £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400.

If you are using indoor leisure facilities such as gyms or swimming pools, you must be on your own or in a household group.

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Here is a reminder of the regulations everyone must continue to follow during this stage of the roadmap:

You can meet up outdoors with friends and family you do not live with, either:

  • in a group of up to 6 from any number of households (children of all ages count towards the limit of 6)
  •  in a group of any size from up to two households (each household can include an existing support bubble, if eligible)

If you are eligible to form a support bubble, you and your support bubble count as one household towards the limit of 2 households when meeting others outdoors. This means, for example, that you and your support bubble can meet with another household, even if the group is more than 6 people.

Where you can meet

You can meet in a group of 6 or a larger group of any size from up to 2 households (including their support bubbles) outdoors. This includes private outdoor spaces, such as gardens, and other outdoor public places and venues that are open. These include the following:

  • parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the public, forests
  • public and botanical gardens
  • the grounds of a heritage site
  • outdoor sculpture parks
  • allotments
  • public playgrounds
  • outdoor sports venues and facilities
  • outdoor hospitality venues
  • outdoor attractions

If you need to enter through a house to get to a garden or other outside space and there is no alternative access, you should wear a face covering, wash or sanitise your hands when entering, and then go straight to the outside space. If you need to use the bathroom, wash your hands thoroughly and go back outside immediately. You should maintain social distancing from anyone who is not in your household or support bubble, and hosts should follow fresh air (ventilation) guidance.