MILLIONS in London and the south-east are living under Tier 4 lockdown restrictions – and more areas could follow as early as Boxing Day.
Boris Johnson imposed tougher measures to combat a rogue new strain of Covid – known as VUI202012/01 – which is 70 per cent more contagious than the first strain.
Will more areas go into Tier 4?
Cases in the UK are surging, with the weekly average rate up 66 per cent in just two weeks.
Ministers and medics met on Tuesday night after the mutant Covid strain was detected in parts of the South West, Midlands and the North – areas all currently in Tier 2 or 3.
In a separate No10 briefing last night (Tuesday, December 22, 2020), the Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said it was likely that measures would “need to be increased” outside of current Tier 4 regions.
The new variant of the virus is focused in the South East and East of England, but has spread to all corners of the UK.
And Trending In The News has learnt more Tier 4 zones could be introduced as early as Boxing Day.
An announcement on which areas will areas will be plunged into the toughest restrictions from Boxing Day is expected later today (December 23, 2020).
Leaders and health officials in Birmingham met on Tuesday night to discuss the possibility of the city being moved into Tier 4.
Health chiefs in Cumbria have said the variant is in the county and could be behind the sharp increase in cases there.
There is also a “high likelihood” the virus is in Lancashire, the county’s director of public health has said.
Meanwhile the number of positive tests in Londo has doubled – and 60 per cent of those are the new strain.
Areas already living under tough Tier 4 restrictions include Kent, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey (excluding Waverley), the boroughs of Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth, Rother and Hastings, all 32 London boroughs and the city of London.
Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes, Luton, Peterborough
Hertfordshire and Essex (excluding Colchester, Uttlesford and Tendring) are also in Tier 4.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford announced Wales will fall under the same measures, which began on midnight on December 20 – and warned people were now facing “a pandemic within a pandemic, a crisis within a crisis”.
And Scotland is restricting household mixing to Christmas Day only, while a travel ban between Scotland and the rest of the UK will stay in place over Christmas and the whole of mainland will go into a level 4 lockdown from Boxing Day.
What does life look like under Tier 4?
For those affected, Tier 4 is essentially a return to the full lockdown which ended in England on December 2.
It began on December 20 and was set to be reviewed on December 30, however, it was revealed that more of England will be plunged into the strictest tier as soon as Boxing Day.
The PM’s key message for those in these regions was to stay at home unless it’s for essential reasons.
There have been real concerns about the new strain, which is blamed for a sudden surge in hospitalisations.
And there are fears people are catching the virus despite wearing PPE and socially distancing.
A health source said: “The last 48 hours have changed everything.”
Mr Drakeford told residents in Wales: “We cannot expose people to this new, more virulent strain of coronavirus.”
Anyone who breaks the rules below could be hit with a £200 fine in the first instance. That doubles for further offences, up to a maximum of £6,400.
Those who hold, or are involved in holding, an illegal gathering of more than 30 people, will be fined £10,000.
When can people leave their homes?
Just like in full lockdown, Brits in Tier 4 can only leave their homes for essential reasons.
All exercise is unlimited – unlike in the first lockdown, when it was initially restricted to just an hour a day.
Travel for some reasons – including education, childcare or an emergency – will be allowed.
When it comes to education, the Government says it must be formal provision – as in, going to class – rather than extracurricular classes such as music or drama tuition.
Communal worship can also still go ahead.
And people can still go to work – but only if they cannot work from home.
People can leave home for any medical reason, including to get a Covid test, to be with someone who is giving birth, to escape domestic abuse, or to get treatment for a pet.
People can also leave home to visit someone who is dying or someone in a care home, hospice, or hospital, or to accompany them to a medical appointment.
But those in Tier 4 won’t be allowed to leave their area to travel elsewhere, unless it’s for one of the reasons above.
Similarly, no one from Tiers 1, 2 or 3 can enter a Tier 4 area.
However, support bubbles will still be in place in Tier 4.
Those who are deemed clinically extremely vulnerable should not go to work.
They should also limit time outside of their homes, the Government says.
People can also leave home to buy food, or to collect any items – including food or drink – ordered through click-and-collect or as a takeaway.
People in all tiers are advised to stay local, and “think carefully” about whether they need to travel abroad.
Can people meet inside or stay overnight?
No. Brits living in these areas will not be allowed to meet other households inside or stay overnight anywhere else.
The Government says those in these areas must stay in their homes to help combat the spread of the adapted virus.
The only way people can meet is outside – and the rules are strict.
One person can meet one other person outside in a public place.
So, that means that on Christmas day, two households can’t meet for a walk together.
Support bubbles will continue in Tier 4.
People can form a support bubble if they’re the only adult in their household, are under 18 and living without adults, are living with a disability which requires continuous care, or are living with a child under one.
You may need to change your support bubble if your circumstances change. Find out more about changing your support bubble.
The Government’s specific guidance is that people in Tier 4 “can exercise or meet in a public outdoor place with people they live with, their support bubble – or as part of a childcare bubble – or with one other person.”
Children under five, and up to two carers for a person with a disability who needs continuous care are not counted towards the outdoors gatherings limit.
Public outdoor places include parks, beaches, forest, public gardens, allotments and playgrounds.
What services will stay open?
This is a short list.
In Tier 3, pubs, restaurants and bars are all shut, although they can offer delivery or take-out options.
But the rules are much stricter in Tier 4.
Non-essential shops had to shut from midnight on December 20, putting an end to Christmas shopping.
