From half-term holidays to pub gardens, the baffling new rules explained

Who you can dine out with ... where you can drive to... can you see a grandparent... Tier 2 explained

WHICH AREAS HAVE BEEN PLACED IN TIER 2?

Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced yesterday that vast swathes of England had been added to Tier 2 – the ‘high’ risk level.

This includes the whole of London, even boroughs with relatively low infection rates. The other areas are York, Essex (not including Southend and Thurrock), Elmbridge in Surrey, Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, North East Derbyshire, and Chesterfield and Erewash in Derbyshire.

WHAT ARE THE RESTRICTIONS IN TIER 2?

People from two households are not allowed to mix indoors, including in pubs and restaurants. Outside, the rule of six applies. This is on top of the 10pm pub and restaurant curfew that is in place throughout England. There is no travel ban.

CAN YOU MEET FRIENDS IN A PUB IF THEY ARE ON A DIFFERENT TABLE?

The rules state you cannot mix with someone from another household indoors. This would count as mixing even though the friend is on another table.

In addition, two friends sitting so far apart would probably have to shout, significantly increasing the risk of spreading coronavirus. However, two friends can meet in a pub garden outside – although doing so is discouraged.

IF YOU LIVE IN A TIER 2 AREA, CAN YOU VISIT A PLACE WHERE ONLY THE RULE OF SIX APPLIES?

There is no travel ban so, for example, Londoners are allowed to go out in the Home Counties.

But the rules state that if you live in a Tier 2 area, you must act as if you are in Tier 2 wherever you are in the country.

So a Londoner visiting neighbouring Hertfordshire cannot mix indoors with people from different households.

CAN YOU SEE AN ELDERLY PARENT?

Yes, if the parent lives alone and you have included them in a support bubble.

A support bubble is a close support network between a household with only one adult in the home and one other household of any size. People in bubbles can think of themselves as being in a single household with people from the other household.

They can have close contact when they visit each other, stay overnight, and visit public places - such as churches - together.

CAN I GO IN A CAR WITH SOMEONE FROM ANOTHER HOUSEHOLD?

No, in most cases. The Government says it is difficult to socially distance during car journeys and transmission of coronavirus can occur in this context.

So you should avoid travelling with someone from outside your household or your support bubble unless you can practise social distancing.

CAN PEOPLE ATTEND BUSINESS MEETINGS?

Yes. There is an exemption for work meetings so people can meet people from other households.

CAN PEOPLE LOOK AFTER SOMEONE ELSE’S CHILD?

Yes. Mr Hancock announced that people in local lockdown areas would be allowed to look after children from other households. The rule applies to children under 14 and vulnerable adults.

HOW WILL THE RULES BE ENFORCED?

Police and local authorities have powers to impose huge fines on those who flout the rules. But the police are overstretched, and only a small number of councils have taken on ‘Covid marshals’ to help enforce the restrictions. So the Government will be relying on people’s honesty.

CAN I STILL GO ON HOLIDAY?

Yes, you can still go on holiday outside of high alert areas, but only with people in your household or support bubble. You should also avoid travelling to a Tier 3 area such as Liverpool.

WILL I BE ABLE TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT?

Yes, but the Government has said people should ‘aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible’. People are advised to walk or cycle where possible, and plan journeys to avoid busy times.

CAN I STILL MOVE OR VIEW A HOUSE?

Yes. Estate and letting agents, and removals firms, can remain open for business and house viewings are still allowed.

ARE SHOPS STILL OPEN?

Yes. Non-essential retail as well as essential stores will remain open for customers.

IS THIS THE FIRST TIME SUCH RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE?

No. People in West and South Yorkshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester have been living under the same rules for some days. Even before the three-tier approach was introduced, many of the people in these areas had to abide by the restrictions on household mixing.

WHAT ARE TIERS 1 AND 3?

Tier 3 is the ‘very high’ risk level. Currently only the Liverpool City Region is in this tier, although the Government wants to add other areas including Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

In Tier 3 areas there is no mixing between households indoors and in gardens; the ‘rule of six’ applies in parks, beaches and sports courts; and there are no wedding receptions.

Pubs and bars require customers to purchase a ‘ substantial’ meal with any drink or must close by law. Other closures – of restaurants, gyms, libraries and hairdressers – are subject to consultation with the local authority.

No travel in and out of the area is allowed.

Tier 1 is the ‘medium’ risk level, which covers the rest of the country. Here people only have to abide by the rule of six and the 10pm curfew.