COVID CONTROL RESTRICTIONS UPDATE - NEW THREE TIER APPROACH
The much trailed tiered approach which defines the risk from Coronavirus in local areas and applies three levels of restrictions to combat this, is confirmed:
Tier 1 - Medium Risk
- Rule of six applies
- 10pm curfew on all pubs, bars, restaurants
- Work from home where possible
- Maintain 2m social distancing, 1m with mitigations
Residents in areas categorised in tier 1 are still able to travel outside their area to other tier 1 or 2 areas.
Tier 2 - High Risk
All of the above in tier 1 including:
- No social gatherings indoors
- 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.
Providing the same guidance on holidays applies, residents in Tier 1 or 2 areas would be allowed to travel to other Tier 1 or 2 areas. This will be confirmed when the guidance is updated in the next 24 hours.
Nottinghamshire, East and West Cheshire and High Peak are among the areas added to those in the North of England and Midlands which were already under extended measures to tackle the virus.
Tier 3 - Very High Risk
These are the most onerous restrictions and result in all of the above with the addition of:
- People should try to avoid travelling outside the ‘Very High’ area they are in, or entering a ‘Very High’ area, other than for things like work, education, accessing youth services, to meet caring responsibilities or if they are in transit.
- Closure of all pubs and bars (except where serving substantial meals), restaurants can remain open
- Closure of gyms, leisure facilities, casinos and bookmakers - with local agreement
- People must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor or outdoor setting, whether at home or in a public space. The Rule of Six applies in open public spaces like parks and beaches.
Liverpool City Region will become an area under "Very High" risk restrictions from Wednesday.
It will be possible to confirm the status of local areas using a Postcode locator which will be operational on the Gov website or through the NHS App.
PM Commons statement on coronavirus: 12 October 2020:
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-commons-statement-on-coronavirus-12-october-2020
Areas classified in tiers two and three are identified in BBC report:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52530518