From today, non-essential businesses in Salisbury will have to close as a second four-week lockdown begins.

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

Just this week, two Salisbury District Hospital patients died after falling ill with the disease.

As members of the public are urged again to 'stay at home', here's everything you need to know about lockdown 2 in our city.

1. 'This virus likes people'

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

Single parents and adults living alone are still entitled to form a support bubble with another household. Household mixing is also still allowed for childcare purposes or to provide care.

However, "this virus likes people," the director of Public Health for Wiltshire stressed on Tuesday as she urged the public to keep interactions to a minimum.

The virus transmission is down to households mixing, she said.

Salisbury Journal: The rise of cases in Wiltshire. Chart from the government coronavirus dashboardThe rise of cases in Wiltshire. Chart from the government coronavirus dashboard

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.

Terence Herbert, the Chief Executive of Wiltshire Council, said during the council's live briefing on Tuesday that most cases in schools have been from community transmission, not transmission within schools.

“If you keep children out of school, their education is going to be harmed and it will be an unauthorised absence,” he said.

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3. Hospital appointments will still go ahead

Appointments at Salisbury District Hospital will not be cancelled. People are encouraged to attend hospital for their appointment as normal.

The hospital says all services remain open and people who need it should access those services.

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4. The Charter market will continue to run

There had been fears Salisbury Charter Market would be cancelled but unlike the first lockdown, the biweekly event will continue to run on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

You can find more details on Salisbury City Council's services here.

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5. Parking fees will stay in place

Wiltshire Council has confirmed there will be no free parking this time round. The local authority says it will receive no compensation from the government which is why they won't be scrapping parking fees in the same way they did during the first lockdown.

Free parking for NHS workers is still in place.

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6. Rationing is back

On Monday night, Tesco's shelves on Southampton Road laid bare as panic buyers attempted to stock up on toilet roll and flour.

The supermarket gaint has now brought back restrictions for certain items in a bid to stop stores from running out of essentials.

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

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7. Some shops will remain open

Yes, a lot of businesses will close from today but a significant number will still stay open. Some will be offering click and collect services while others have a delivery system in place.

Here's a list of businesses that you can still rely on in the next few weeks.

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8. Estate agents won't be closing

Property viewings and home moves in England can still take place during the second lockdown. Regulations state that activities relating to the property sector are allowed to continue.

These activities include: visiting estate or letting agents; developer sales offices, or show homes; viewing residential properties to look for a property to buy or to rent; preparing a residential property to move in; moving house; visiting a residential property to undertake any activities required for the rental or sale of that property.

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9. Help is available if you need it

Community group Wilton HELP which was crowned Best Hero at this year's Village of the Year Awards is on hand to help people during the second lockdown. Their helpline is on 01722 698698.

In Salisbury, the city council's communities team is also available as is Wiltshire Council's Wellbeing Hub which can be contacted on 0300 003 4576.

Salisbury Journal: Wilton HELP. Picture by Spencer MulhollandWilton HELP. Picture by Spencer Mulholland