From today, non-essential businesses in Winchester have closed and their doors will remain shut for the next four weeks.

The move aims to stop the spread of coronavirus which has been spreading across Hampshire and other parts of the UK.

Over the last seven days Winchester has recorded no Covid related deaths but 189 people have tested positive for the virus.

Members of the public now must stay at home unless for specific reasons, such as attending school or college, or going to the supermarket.

Here is everything you need to know about lockdown 2 in our city.

  1. You should stay at home as much as possible

Over the next four weeks, people are being encouraged to limit their interactions with people outside their household.

In general, the guidance states you must not meet people socially. However, you can exercise or meet in a public, outdoors space with people you live with, your support bubble (or as part of a childcare bubble), or with one other person.

2. Schools and colleges will stay open

Unlike in March, schools and colleges will remain open as normal. This is to avoid any more disruption to students' education.

The government said the risks to children’s education and wellbeing from not attending school outweighs any other risks.

But trade unions said Hampshire school staff are worried as children find social distancing “very difficult” and staff end up being in “close contact” with pupils.

Union bosses said staff in Hampshire schools are facing a “too high risk” and feel they do not have “adequate protection”.

Over the last 14 days four Winchester schools have reported coronavirus cases.

All Saints Church of England Primary School was the latest school to confirm a positive case on Tuesday (November 3).

3. Parking fees will stay in place

Parking charges still apply in all Winchester City Council car parks.

Brooks Car Park will be closed from Thursday 5th November until further notice. All access to the car park, including Shopmobility, will be prohibited.

There will be a limited pedestrian walkway to allow access to shops that are providing a click and collect service during the shopping centre's restricted operating hours.

4. Rationing is back

Despite essential items such as toilet roll and pasta appearing to be well-stocked in Winchester, supermarket giants have now brought back restrictions for certain items.

Tesco has limited the purchase of flour, dried pasta, toilet roll, baby wipes and anti-bacterial wipes to three items per customer while online, there are additional limits for rice and canned vegetables.

Morrisons is also limiting a range of items including toilet roll, bleach, disinfectant and soap, with customers only allowed to buy three of each product at once.

There is also a limit on sales of larger packs of flour, rice and oil, which are sold in its world foods aisle.