Matt Hancock has announced where each region will fall in the new three-tier system in England, with millions placed under the toughest measures when lockdown ends on December 2.
London is in Tier 2 along with Liverpool, Suffolk and the majority of the country, despite MPs urging the Government to put the capital in the lowest tier or risk economic havoc.
Use our postcode tool to find out which Tier your area is in.
Areas that are in Tier 2 will enjoy a slight relaxation of the 10pm curfew in pubs and restaurants, but pubs will only be allowed to stay open if they serve a substantial meal.
Tier allocations will be reviewed every 14 days, with the Government keeping a close eye on infection rates, particularly in the over 60’s.
Furthermore, after a backlash from Tory MPs, new reports argue that rural towns and villages near coronavirus hotspots may be saved from the harshest restrictions. Some MPs understand that areas with lower rates of infection could be “decoupled” from the rules of the nearby cities, which have “unfairly” dragged them into the higher tiers.
Here’s what the new Tier 2 restrictions look like:
Read more: How each lockdown tier will change under revamped Covid restrictions
What are high level/Tier 2 lockdown restrictions?
In Tier 2, households will not be allowed to mix indoors apart from in support bubbles, while a maximum of six people can meet outdoors.
Pubs and bars must close unless operating as restaurants, meaning they must serve substantial meals and may only serve alcohol with such a meal.
A Government official has warned that pub-goers in Tier 2 must leave after finishing their ‘substantial meal’. He stated there should be “no lingering”, and visitors must leave “once their meal is finished”.
The Local Government Association (LGA) has said that a “two hour turnaround” is the “maximum amount of time” needed for “a meal of multiple courses”.
All hospitality is restricted to table service and last orders must be called at 10pm, with people allowed to finish their food and drinks by 11pm.
Only people of the same household can visit together under the Tier 2 restrictions.
Spectator sports will be also allowed to resume both indoors and outdoors, but with limited numbers and social distancing in place.
Outdoors, 2,000 people, or 50 per cent of usual capacity, will be allowed to attend. Indoors, the limit is 1,000 people.
The public will also be allowed to attend performances and shows in theatres and other entertainment venues, at 50 per cent capacity indoors and attendees will be limited to 1,000.
The other rules are:
- All businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a Covid-secure manner, other than those that remain closed in law, such as nightclubs and adult entertainment venues
- Businesses and venues selling food for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 11pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-thru
- Schools, universities and places of worship remain open (For the latter, groups attending religious services are expected to follow the rule of six – with larger families exempt.)
- Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees (15 and 30 respectively)
- Exercise classes and organised sport can continue to take place outdoors. They will only be permitted indoors if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with or share a support bubble with, or for youth or disability sport
- The “Rule of Six” will apply outdoors and in private gardens
- People must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place
- People should aim to reduce the number of journeys they make where possible. If they need to travel, they should walk or cycle where possible, or to plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport
International travel will now be allowed across all tiers, but the advice is still not to travel unless necessary, and to check FCO restrictions for your destination.
The Government is expected to announce next week that current travel quarantine rules will end in mid December, and will be replaced by a five-day testing plan.
Tier 1 lockdown rules explained: what you can and can’t do in ‘medium risk alert areas
Tier 3 lockdown rules explained: what you can and can’t do in ‘very high risk alert areas
Tier 4 lockdown rules: what would the rules be, and what UK areas could be affected?
