TIER 3

THE people of the North East will be living under the Government’s Tier 3 coronavirus rules from the middle of next week.

Here is everything you need to know about the Tier 3 level of restrictions:

Things have changed slightly since England was last operating under a tiered system of lockdown, with rules made tougher and more consistent across the country in a bid to keep control of Covid-19.

This is for areas with a very high or very rapidly rising level of infections.

Although the numbers are levelling off in the region, government ministers said the figures were still high enough to require the most restrictive rules.

Which businesses have to close?

Hospitality settings, such as bars (including shisha venues), pubs, cafes and restaurants are closed.

But they are allowed to offer takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services.

Accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, and guest houses must close, other than exceptions for people who live there full time, or need to access such venues for work or education reasons.

Indoor entertainment and tourist venues must close. This includes:

indoor play centres, including trampolining parks and soft play casinos; bingo halls; bowling alleys; skating rinks; amusement arcades and adult gaming centres; laser quests and escape rooms; cinemas, theatres and concert halls; and snooker halls.

Indoor attractions at mostly outdoor entertainment venues must also close – for example, an indoor cinema at a mostly outside zoo would have to be shut. However, indoor shops, throughways and public toilets at such attractions can remain open.

So are the shops open before Christmas?

Yes. Non-essential shops will be open, even in the highest tier, so long as they follow Covid rules.

Indoor and outdoor markets and car boot sales can also open.

Can I get my hair cut?

Hairdressers, along with other beauty businesses, will be allowed to reopen, so you will be able to trim those lockdown locks.

Beauty salons, tattoo parlours, nail salons, spas and beauty services, massage parlours and tanning salons will all be allowed to open.

What about the gym?

Many of us have been getting a bit sluggish over lockdown number two so the good news is gyms can reopen, along with other sports facilities – but group exercise classes (including fitness and dance) should not go ahead.

Organised outdoor sport, and physical activity and exercise classes can continue, however higher-risk contact activity should not take place.

Organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes cannot take place indoors. There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s.

Saunas and steam rooms will also have to close.

Can I meet up with anyone at all?

During full national lockdown, people were only allowed to meet one other person at a time outside.

This has been lifted slightly as the region enters the third tier.

From next week, you won’t be allowed to socialise with anyone you don’t live with (or who isn’t in your bubble), indoors.

You also can’t meet in private outdoor venues,

like your own garden, or the gardens or outdoor spaces of businesses.

But you can meet in groups of up to six people in public outdoor spaces, such as: parks; beaches; countryside accessible to the public; a public garden; grounds of a heritage site or castle; sports facilities.

Can I leave the North East or go on holiday?

Not really.

In general, people are being told to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible.

People in Tier 3 should avoid travelling to other parts of the UK, including for overnight stays other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities.

Will I be able to go to the football (or other sport)?

There was excitement among many sports fans when it was announced that, in the lower tiers, more people would now be allowed to attend sporting events, leaving some dreaming of returning to St James’ Park or the Stadium of Light.

But, unfortunately, no, in Tier 3 there should be no public attendance at spectator sport

Elite sport events can go ahead without spectators.

What about the theatre or other shows?

Again, it’s a no. Large outdoor events (performances and shows) should not take place, with the exception of drive-in events. Indoor performances are also off the table.

The Theatre Royal has already announced it is reviewing its plans for a Christmas pantomime this year.

Can I attend a religious service?

Places of worship remain open, but you must not attend with or socialise with anyone outside of your household or support bubble while you are there, unless a legal exemption applies.

Can I hold a wedding or funeral?

Yes, weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees – 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions are not allowed, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies, 15 people can attend linked commemorative events.

Can I visit a care home?

Visits to care homes can take place with arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods, and window visits.

Regular testing will be offered to up to two family members or friends per resident by Christmas. Check with the care home in question what their rules are.

Anything else I should know?

There are a few other rules which still apply everywhere in the country, including in Tier 3.

These are:

wear a face-covering in most indoor public settings, unless they have an exemption.

follow the rules on meeting others safely.

attend school or college as normal, unless they are self-isolating. Schools, universities, colleges and early years settings remain open in all tiers.

walk or cycle where possible, plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes when travelling.

All businesses and venues that are open are expected to follow Covid-19 secure guidelines to protect customers, visitors and workers.

Everyone who can work from home should do so. Where people cannot do so – including, but not limited to, people who work in critical national infrastructure, construction, or manufacturing – they should continue to travel to their workplace.

Public-sector employees working in essential services, including education settings, should continue to go into work where necessary.