BORIS Johnson has revealed which areas will be in which Tiers after the lockdown ends today.
The PM announced the nationwide shut down would end and be replaced with a new set of tiered measures to try and control the virus until the spring. Here’s everything you need to know about the fresh tier system.
When will England’s lockdown end?
From today, Wednesday, December 2, England will return to the tiered system once again.
It means the shutdown will end and some places will be able to reopen again.
All areas will have to abide by the government’s message of hands, face, space with Brits facing new rules day-to-day which are expected to last until the end of March.
Here’s everything you need to know about the fresh tier system.
What are the rules for the three tiers?
Across all tiers, all shops and public buildings can reopen.
Personal care and close contact services such as hairdressers and beauty salons are also allowed to open once more.
Gyms, leisure centres and indoor sport can recommence but indoor group activities and classes should not take place at tier 3.
Places of worship can reopen and funerals and weddings can take place with restrictions.
However, attending nightclubs and large pub gatherings remain illegal across all tiers.
Tier 1
Rule of six and 10pm curfew – but people will have until 11pm to finish drinks and leave.
Tier 2
Alcohol can only served as part of a substantial meal. Rule of six applies outside for meeting people, and no household mixing inside.
Tier 3
Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality will have to close, but can do takeaway, delivery and drive through.
Indoor entertainment will have to shut – including cinemas, casinos, bowling alleys, soft play and other venues will have to close.
No households are allowed to mix inside or out, but they can mix in some public places like parks if they abide by the rule of six.
Businesses that will be forced to shut will be able to access the same furlough package of support that they had before.
What Tier will I be in?
More than 99 per cent of the country have been placed in the top two tiers – and just the Isle of Wight, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in the lower Tier 1 – a total of 700,000 people.
Some 32 million people in England – just over 56 per cent of the population – will be in Tier 2, and nearly 42 per cent (23 million people) in Tier 3.
The Government’s postcode checker crashed this morning as thousands of people tried to see what their new tiers would be.
Matt Hancock unveiled the new tiers this morning in the House of Commons – confirming the ‘stay at home’ order will end, and shops, gyms and personal care will reopen.
Mr Hancock said this morning: “We cannot simply flick a switch and try to return to life straight back to normal.
“If we did this we would undo the hard work of so many and see the NHS overwhelmed.”
Liverpool is being hailed as a success story after mass testing by the Army helped bring infection rates down to 162 per 100,000 people from 700 five weeks ago.
It will go down from Tier 3 into Tier 2 and provide a model for others to get out of the top tier too.
What will be able to reopen?
Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools can return from today, December 2.
And close contact services will be allowed – including beauty appointments, tattoos, nails and haircuts.
Officials were concerned that they would be unable to stop people going from Tier 3 areas into Tier 2 ones to sneak in an appointment before Christmas – so made the blanket rules.
Venues must continue to be Covid-secure with visors and face-masks to protect both customers and staff.
Can I see the football now?
Sports fans in Britain can return to indoor and outdoor events from today, December 2 onwards as the PM relaxes the sport coronavirus rules for Christmas.
In a huge boost for the nation, fans in Tier 1 and 2 will be allowed to watch Premier League games and other sporting events in the flesh after the lockdown ends.
A set number of fans will be allowed into stadiums to cheer on their teams.
However, those in Tier 3 areas will continue to be locked out.
Can I get married?
Weddings will be able to take place across England from next Wednesday – but receptions will be banned in the top Tier 3.
The rules will go back to how they were in October – with 15 guests allowed at weddings and civil partnership ceremonies.
Mr Johnson said: “Collective worship, weddings and outdoor sports can resume, and shops, personal care, gyms and the wider leisure sector can reopen.”
