Coronavirus: Your questions about England's lockdown answered

From Thursday 5 November, England will be in lockdown for four weeks - to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

That means that everyone is being asked to stay at home whenever possible, and the restrictions will be much stricter.

Mr Johnson said that after 2 December the restrictions would be eased and regions would go back to the tiered system already in place across England.

Find out more about the new restrictions and how there are different rules in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales here.

Many of you might have questions about how this second lockdown will affect you, and how it might be different.

We have answered some of your questions about lockdown below - if you have a question that we haven't answered please let us know below in the comments.

We may not be able to answer all of them, but we will try to answer as many as we can.

'Can I still have my birthday party?'

In England, while there's a four-week national lockdown, you can't have a party with a group of friends at home or outdoors but you can have a party with them virtually instead (e.g. using video calling).

You can still also have a party at home with the people you live with and anyone who has formed a support bubble with your household.

For older children, whose parents are comfortable with them going out without an adult, they can meet one friend for exercise or to visit public places outdoors. Social distancing rules must still be followed.

Remember rules are different in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales and there might be exceptions to certain rules in certain areas.

'Do under 11's have to wear masks?'

In England, the government says that if you're under the age of 11 you're not required to wear a face covering in any place.

Remember there are different rules in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

'Can we still do PE if sports groups have been cancelled?'

Yes - as PE is a part of the school curriculum and as schools are still open PE will still take place within school time.

However, it may be a bit different than normal, with increased social distancing measures in place.

'Why do schools not have to close?'

Unlike the first lockdown earlier this year, this time schools will remain open.

Cabinet minister Michael Gove said: "We want to keep schools open."

In the new lockdown guidelines it states: "It remains very important for children and young people to attend, to support their wellbeing and education and help working parents and guardians.

"Senior clinicians still advise that school is the best place for children to be, and so they should continue to go to school. Schools have implemented a range of protective measures to make them safe."

However, around 150,000 teachers and support staff from the National Education Union - the UK's biggest Teaching union - have backed a campaign to close schools and colleges during lockdown.

They worry they could be an "engine for virus transmission".

'I love parks especially with playgrounds - will they be open?'

Yes - Playgrounds will remain open.

During the new lockdown you will be able to exercise outdoors or visit public places with the people you live with.

Here are the places you can visit: Parks, beaches, countryside, public gardens, allotments and playgrounds.

You can not meet in a private garden.

'Can we still go to our grandma's house?'

This is a bit of a complicated one and depends on a few factors.

The government is asking for people to stay at home and not meet indoors with family or friends unless you live with them, or they are in your support bubble. So if your grandma is in your bubble, then that's fine.

If they aren't, you can still meet with one person from another household outside - at the park for example - as long as you keep social distancing in place.

However, the government has also asked for those who are vulnerable and for those over 60 to follow the rules carefully and to and minimise their contact with others.

'Are we still allowed to go to after school clubs?'

Yes and no.

Sport and out-of-school clubs (like drama or martial arts for example) will not be taking place - but some clubs used video calling over the spring lockdown and are planning to do the same this time.

As for pre- and after-school cubs, that's not quite clear yet.

In the new lockdown rules, the government has said: "Parents will still be able to access some registered childcare and other childcare activities (including wraparound care) where reasonably necessary to enable parents to work, or for the purposes of respite care."

It continues later to say: "Some venues will be allowed to remain open for specific activities, like childcare and support groups."

'Will swimming pools be closing?'

Yes - indoor and outdoor leisure facilities. including swimming pools will be closed under the new rules.

To reduce social contact the government has asked for all non-essential venues to close.

Here are some of the other non-essential activity centres that will also be closing: bowling alleys, leisure centres and gyms, golf courses and driving ranges, dance studios, stables and riding centres, soft play facilities, climbing walls and climbing centres, archery ranges, water and theme parks,

'What is the max amount of minutes of being allowed outside in lockdown?'

There is no time limit on how long you can spend outside each day.

However, the government has said: "You should minimise time spent outside your home".

They say you should only really leave your home for:

• School

• Work

• Exercise outdoors or visit a public space like a park.

• For medical reasons (to pick up medicine or visit the doctor)

• Food shopping

• To check on people in your support bubble.

'I go to a tutor after school. Will I still be able to do that?'

If you visit your tutor's house, or if you tutor visits your home, then the answer is no.

Under the new lockdown rules, you can't meet indoors with people who do not live in your household.

Many people have been using online video chatting services to continue their education and stay in touch with others during lockdown.

'Does that mean the rule of six is now gone?'

Yes - under the new lockdown there are stricter rules about how many people you can met up with.

You must not meet indoors with family or friends unless you live with them, or they are in your support bubble.

A support bubble is where a household with one adult joins up with another household. Households in that support bubble can still visit each other, stay overnight, and visit outdoor public places together.

When meeting outside you can be with people you live with, meet people in your support bubble and also meet one person from a different household.

Children who are too young to go to school, and those with disabilities who need extra care, do not count towards this number.

'What about Diwali? Are churches and religious buildings open?'

This church in London is being used as a food bank

No. Places of worship will be closed for big services with lots of people. However, religious buildings can be used for:

to broadcast acts of worship, for individual prayer or for essential things like food banks and support groups.

Diwali is the five-day festival of lights - an important religious festival celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the world.

The new lockdown measures mean people will have to celebrate Diwali at home with their family.

Earlier this year Muslims celebrated Eid under social-distancing restrictions, and Jewish people celebrated Passover under lockdown.

If you have any questions about the new lockdown restrictions in England let us know in the comments below and we will try to answer them.