A Brief List of What You Can and Can’t Do in Lockdown 2

Published on: 7 Nov, 2020
Updated on: 8 Nov, 2020

By Julie Armstrong

local democracy reporter

Lockdown 2 might not feel quite as restrictive as the first, with schools, children’s outdoor play areas and click-and-collect services all remaining open. Even markets are allowed, but not non-food stalls.

This time, sunshine is in shorter supply, but our beautiful countryside can still be enjoyed, with county council car parks and loos at beauty spots remaining open. The cafés at Newlands Corner and Ockham Common are doing takeaways.

Surrey’s parks are also staying open with no suggested limit of one exercise per day this time, and we are allowed to meet one other person for outdoor exercise.

The BBC’s Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has compiled a list of what’s happening with key council services in your county as of today, Friday 6.

Leisure centres, gyms, tennis courts, swimming pools, community centres, day centres and cinemas

All closed until December 2 at the earliest.

Children’s playgrounds and recreation grounds

Open (but Tandridge and Woking skate parks and multi-use games areas are closed).

Car parks

Most are open as normal, including all of Surrey’s countryside car parks such as Chobham Common, Norbury Park in Fetcham and Wren’s Nest at Wisley.

Closed, the Old London Road car park and the Hyperion car park at Epsom Downs.

Public toilets

Most are open but Epsom Downs toilets are closed.

Libraries

Library buildings are closed but there is a click-and-collect service, so you can use the library catalogue to request a book and pick it up at the door of a branch of your choice (except Addlestone).

All loans have been extended with nothing due back before December 4.

You can still use the library computers as long as you make an appointment in advance. PCs can be booked in 15-minute slots here and keyboards and mice are cleaned between sessions.

School transport

This is not affected by lockdown, but in bad weather check with the operator for any disruption.

Surrey Arts music classes

Some school tuition will continue in person at some schools. Out-of-school tuition and ensembles will be delivered online for the rest of term. Any questions to surreyartsmusic@surreycc.gov.uk

Appeals against school placements

These will continue using a conference call system.

Adult learning

Adult learning centres stay open and there is no change to the online courses programme. But centre cafés and vending machines are closed throughout the autumn term.

Short breaks for disabled children

All schemes, including after-school clubs, holiday schemes and home-care, have been closed until further notice.

Meals on Wheels / Meals at Home

Boroughs and districts are continuing these as normal and delivery drivers will wear full PPE.

Waste collection and tips

Collection services are continuing but some boroughs and districts warn there may be delays, for example, in Epsom and Ewell garden waste disposal.

Avoid using recycling banks because they may not be emptied regularly. Check here if items can be put in kerbside recycling. If not, hold on to them till recycling bank services are back to normal.

All 15 community recycling centres are staying open, but the number of people allowed on sites at any one time is limited. Revive Reuse shops are closed.

Buses

Services may be altered or reduced. Before travelling, check this page and the operator’s website.

Any free bus passes due to expire are being automatically renewed. New applicants should register online here.

Mole Valley Life is continuing to provide transport services for medical appointments, essential shopping and travel to and from support bubbles.

Blue badge applications

People are advised to apply online since staff are working from home.

Roadworks

Key repair and maintenance work will continue, with the use of PPE and social distancing.

Registration of births

Register Offices at Guildford, Leatherhead and Weybridge continue to be open for face-to-face birth registration appointments. There is a large backlog and the requirement to register within 42 days of birth has been relaxed. Guildford is fully booked until November 19 and Weybridge until November 16. Book here.

Marriages

Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are not permitted between now and December 2, except where one of those marrying is seriously ill and not expected to recover.

Any register office ceremonies booked until the end of March 2021 can be postponed and the admin fee waived.

Registration of deaths

Deaths legally have to be registered within five days (unless referred to the coroner). Make an appointment here to register the death over the telephone.

Funerals

These continue, attended by a maximum of 30 mourners.

Planning

Council offices are closed but planning applications can be viewed on the websites of boroughs and districts.

The county council deals with applications for minerals or waste-related developments.

Surrey History Centre and Surrey Heath Museum

Closed.

Council meetings

These will continue online, see webcast library for Surrey here.

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