What are the new tier 1 lockdown rules and which areas do they apply to?
After one month of full lockdown, England is to re-enter the three-tier system, which will see measures relaxed across much of the country.
Health secretary Matt Hancock confirmed the new rules on November 26, saying the ‘end is in sight’ for the pandemic.
From December 2, every area of England will move back into a regionalised new tier system – ‘medium’, ‘high’ and ‘very high’ – similar to before the second lockdown, but with harsher restrictions.
Matt Hancock told the Commons: ‘The less any one person passes on the disease the faster we can get this disease under control together and that is on all of us.
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‘Hope is on the horizon but we still have further to go.’
What are the tier one rules, and which parts of England will enjoy the greatest freedoms under the revised system?
What does tier 1 lockdown mean – which areas are in it?
The tiers in the new system are as follows:
Tier one is applied to areas where the risk from coronavirus is judged to be ‘medium’ – the lowest of the three tiers.
Currently, only the Isle of Wight, South West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are deemed ‘medium’ risk.
Tier 1 lockdown rules
In tier one, the ‘rule of six’ continues to apply, which means that no more than six people are allowed to meet in any setting.
Pubs, bars and restaurants can remain open but last orders must be called at 10pm and premises must close at 11pm.
Other venues such as casinos, cinemas, theatres, museums and bowling alleys can reopen but they too must close by 11pm and performances must start before the original curfew of 10pm.
In addition, weddings and civil partnerships ceremonies can go ahead with no more than 15 attendees. 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies.
Public attendance at outdoor and indoor events (performances and shows) is permitted, limited to whichever is lower: 50% capacity, or either 4,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors.
In all tiers, gyms can reopen, while under the first tier, indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes can continue to take place, if the rule of six is followed.
MORE : UK restrictions ‘may have to go further’ if tier 3 lockdown doesn’t work
MORE : London could be plunged into tier 2 lockdown ‘this week’
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