Today, the Prime Minister has confirmed that from December 2nd England will return to the Local COVID-19 Alert Level, meaning that local authorities will follow tiered restrictions from ‘medium’ to ‘very high.’
Caroline Dinenage, Gosport MP, commented:
“I am pleased that today the Prime Minister has announced that we will return to tiered restrictions to guarantee that measures are only in place where necessary and to ensure that businesses and jobs are supported.
“It has been a hard year but we have had recent glimmers of hope with scientific advances in vaccinations and COVID-19 testing methods. However, we must remain vigilant to ensure we keep infection rates as low as possible over the winter months.”
The Prime Minister has announced some vital changes to strengthen the tier system as evidence shows that while the approach works to lower transmission rates, it was not effective enough at keeping the R rate below 1.
While gyms and non-essential retail can reopen in all tiers, pubs and restaurants in tier 2 will only be able to open if they serve substantial meals and will be closed apart from takeaway and click and collect services in tier 3. The 10pm curfew has also changed to 11pm, with 10pm being the call for last orders. Weddings, funerals and communal worship can also resume.
Unlike previously, spectator events and business events can take place in tiers 1 and 2 indoors and outdoors with capacity limits and COVID-19 measures.
Only those in tier 1 will be able to socialise outside of their household indoors, apart from support or childcare bubbles.
Alongside the changes to the tiered system, the announcement came with a warning that while scientific advances have been made in vaccinations and that mass testing will be rolled out in tier 3 areas, the public must continue to follow the guidance to avoid another spike in infections over the winter months.
Information regarding Christmas restrictions are likely to be announced tomorrow, while decisions around what tier each area will fall into will be confirmed on Thursday.