England has entered a third national lockdown. You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:
- Shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person.
- Go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home.
- Exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
- Meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one.
- Seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse).
- Attend education or childcare – for those eligible.
For full details please go to the UK government’s website: www.gov.uk/coronavirus. 
For the latest news on coronavirus in Suffolk please go to www.suffolk.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19.
If you are interested in in volunteering for the NHS please visit their website to find out how you can help: nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk/i-want-to-volunteer.
If you are a Stowmarket based group or organisation looking for volunteers during lockdown please let us know so we can help to advertise vacant positions. Get in contact by emailing communities@stowmarket.org.
The Stowmarket twice weekly market will remain operating with ‘essential’ stalls only. The Town Council office at Milton House and the Stowmarket Community Centre are now both closed. You can still contact staff via email and the contact us page. The Foodbank will continue to operate in the Community Centre, you can contact them directly here: www.livingit.org.uk/foodbank.
To find out more about the local vaccination programme please go to the Suffolk GP Federation: suffolkfed.org.uk/covid-19-vaccination-programme.
If you would like more information on disabilities and face covering please to the Hidden Disabilities website: hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/blog/post/face-coverings-and-the-hidden-disabilities-sunflower.
The UK government also have face covering exemption resources available: www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own