Advice for Local Groups: Covid 19 Mutual Aid UK statement on the lockdown

24 March 2020

Mutual aid groups will continue to provide an important lifeline to our communities during the UK lockdown, and will pose no additional risk, as long as we act safely and sensibly, within its parameters.

The government has specifically stated that those of us who are leaving the house “to provide care or help to a vulnerable person” will be allowed to carry on. On this basis, we are presuming that Mutual Aid groups will be allowed to carry on providing vital support to people in self-isolation or quarantine. Groups should continue to follow the guidance to ensure you do not put yourself or others at risk in carrying out this support, but otherwise we would encourage groups to continue as before. 

The new rules on reduced trips means that people should carry out multiple errands at once to avoid excessive trips outside, such as doing your shopping at the same time as you shop for other people, or shopping for more than one person at the same time.

This decision is going to increase the anxiety and isolation being experienced across the UK. So offering phone calls and online support to people requesting help is going to be even more important than before.

We want to prioritise the safety of everyone in our communities, and we take seriously potential impacts increased policing may have, particularly on black and brown people who were already more likely to be stopped and searched. We need to make sure that these new rules are not going to be disproportionate or discriminate, especially towards communities that already have experience of being victimised by the police.

We’ve already begun to show the world the incredible impact that something as simple as looking out for your neighbours can have in the face of coronavirus. As the situation develops, we look forward to continuing the work of building this network of local groups, and providing care and compassion in our communities.