Hypothesis - It may be as simple as someone having reminded the UK Government that it needs to be clear in its communications that the measures only apply to England, rather than a strategic thought about transit.

This is the guidance rather than the Statutory Instrument. It may be useful if there is a dispute about wording or interpretation, but it's the SI that counts.

So e.g. flying from European country A to European country B, with British passport, and residence document for European country B, and not living in England, transiting through Heathrow...this should not cause problems?

Maybe my lack of understanding of the current rules, but how would anyone know which household you are linked with? Let alone from such a specific date. Is there a similar rule for support bubbles?

a linked household is the same as a support bubble, it is just different terminology. in the law it is termed a linked household, but they are commonly known as support bubbles. it is available to one adult households to link with one other household.

in terms of who would know, well there is no system of registration so it is between you and the other household.

I've kind of made that argument upthread, and there is a similar question which I have answered in the Coronavirus Forum with more specific references. The short version is no guarantees but it probably won't cause problems but the specific details may make it awkward.

It's also open to households with one adult and children who were under 18 years old on 18 June so technically it could be more than one adult. Because it's a reasonable excuse, if you were challenged about this, you merely need to point to the households in question to prove the exemption, there is no paperwork involved. There are a number of other exemptions in this space (e.g. the vulnerable, care needs and so on).

Wales National Restrictions - from 9 November

The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 4) (Wales) Regulations 2020
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2.../contents/made

- in force from 9 November, expires 19 February unless revoked or amended, and must be reviewed every few weeks
- applies to Wales only (see other posts for current restrictions in other parts of UK)
- replaces the Wales 'Fire break' detailed in posts 85 and 89

Restrictions on gatherings and events
- no gather things in homes of more than one household without reasonable excuses
- extended households available where two households may agree to be treated as one
- no gatherings without reasonable excuse in public places of more than 4 people unless from the same household, or if outdoors with the extended household
- no organising without reasonable excuse of events indoors of more than 15 or outdoors of more than 30

Restrictions on travel in to and from Wales
- no person outside Wales man enter or remain without reasonable excuse
- no person living in Wales may leave Wales without reasonable excuse
- reasonable excuse is one where the purpose is reasonably necessary and there is no practicable alternative and may include obtaining medical assistance, legal obligations, work, obtaining food and medical supplies etc.

Requirement to self-isolate
- must self-isolate for 10 days if notified to do so by a contact tracer that you have tested positive, or you have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for 14 days
- some exemptions apply such as urgent medical assistance etc.

Restrictions on businesses
- some businesses must remain closed to the public, so concert halls, theatres, licensed premises with live/recorded music
- licensed premises can't sell/supply alcohol outside 0600-2200 (if located in airports they are exempted)

Requirement to wear face coverings in public
- includes public transport and most indoor public places, with some exemptions

I am assuming that the do not enter/leave Wales thing will end when England's lockdown ends?

I wouldn't be so sure they will. Over the last month or so Wales have prohibited people entering from elsewhere in the UK if from higher risk areas, and then when the fire break was introduced prohibited all entry (subject to some exemptions) from anywhere else in the UK. All of that pre-dated any suggestion of national lockdown in England.

Having just been out for the first time since lockdown 2 began, all I can say is: what is the point?

My local town centre was pretty much normal - loads of people about, with most shops open. It would appear that most shops have decided they sell "essential goods", so are staying open (is Quality Save really selling essential goods?).

Costa / Greggs and other similar 'food' places are open this time (they all closed in the first lockdown).

All a bit of a mess.

Central London is much quieter. We walked from home (near Waterloo) to Chinatown and back and the activity level was end May. So much quieter, and very sad to see.

In terms of what can remain open it is based on business type rather than what can be sold. So if the business is allowed to remain open, they can sell whatever they want (with an exception of food and drink for consumption on premices). There isn't any distinction between essential and non-essential goods - I assume to avoid the kind of publicity we saw with Wales a few weeks ago. Business which can remain open include;

For places like cafes, restaurants, etc, they can remain open for takeaway but not for consumption on premises.

I'm struggling to see where Quality Save fits into that list :)

well firstly this lockdown is less strict than the last one, more shops (food, coffee, etc) decided to stay open, and people have more experience of the virus so are less scared of it, and it is spreading slower than the first time as well, many are saying this was an over reaction.