Crackdown in Liverpool, the North and Midlands

TIER 3

The Liverpool City Region has been placed in Tier 3, where the alert level is very high. It includes Liverpool, Knowsley, Wirral, St Helens, Sefton and Halton.

TIER 2

The following areas have been placed in Tier 2, where the alert level is high:

CHESHIRE: Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East,

GTR MANCHESTER: Manchester, Bolton, Bury, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, Salford, Rochdale, Oldham. WARRINGTON: Warrington. DERBYSHIRE: High Peak – the wards of Tintwistle, Padfield, Dinting, St John’s, Old Glossop, Whitfield, Simmondley, Gamesley, Howard Town, Hadfield South, Hadfield North. LANCASHIRE:

Blackpool, Preston, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley. WEST YORKS: Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees, Calderdale, Wakefield. SOUTH YORKS: Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster, Sheffield. NORTH EAST: Newcastle, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, Gateshead, Sunderland, Durham, Northumberland.

TEES VALLEY: Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Stocktonon-Tees, Darlington, Hartlepool. WEST MIDLANDS: Birmingham, Sandwell, Solihull, Wolverhampton, Walsall. LEICESTER: Leicester, Oadby and Wigston. NOTTINGHAM: Nottinghamshire, Nottingham City

TIER 1

All other areas of England are currently in Tier 1 where the alert level is medium.

TIER 3 VERY HIGH

THE Government has set “baseline” measures which outline the minimum restrictions affecting an area placed in this top category. Other curbs can be imposed in agreement with local leaders, such as in Liverpool, where gyms, casinos and bookies will close. The baseline restrictions are:

Pubs and bars must close unless they operate as if they are a restaurant. That means serving “substantial meals”. They can only serve alcohol as part of a meal. A bag of pork scratchings does not count as a meal.

Weddings can take place with 15 people maximum. Receptions are banned.

People must not meet anybody outside their household or support bubble indoors or out.

People should avoid travelling outside the Tier 3 area they are in, or entering a Tier 3 area, other than for work, education, to “meet caring responsibilities” or if passing through en route to elsewhere. A guideline, not a rule, it could pose dilemmas for families living in Tier 3 with family in Tier 1 or 2.

People should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK if they live in a Tier 3 area, and avoid staying overnight in a Tier 3 area if they live elsewhere. Again, this is advice rather than a rule.

Organised sport can take place outdoors. Indoor organised sport can only take place among one household or support bubble, effectively ruling it out, though this does not apply to children’s or disabled sport.

Gatherings to commemorate Remembrance Sunday are on a list of general exceptions.

TIER 2 HIGH

MOST areas that were already subject to some form of local lockdown are placed in this category. There will be a review every 14 days. The following restrictions apply:

You must not meet anyone indoors unless they are from your household or support bubble. Up to six people can meet outdoors, including in private gardens, beer gardens, parks and beaches.

People must not meet in a group of over six outside, including a garden. People can go to your garden but they can’t pass through your house.

People should “aim to reduce the number of journeys they make where possible”. Walk or cycle if you can. Avoid busy times and busy routes on public transport.

Weddings and receptions can take place with a maximum of 15 people.

Pubs are allowed to remain open, subject to the 10pm curfew.

Organised sport can take place outdoors. However, indoor organised sport is only permitted among one household or support bubble. But this restriction does not apply to children’s or disabled sport.

TIER 1 MEDIUM

MOST of the country is in Tier 1, with an alert level of medium. Areas are subject to national restrictions, which include: Work from home where possible.

Table service only at pubs and restaurants, which must shut at 10pm. Observe social distancing.

Wear a face mask on public transport and in shops, pubs and restaurants unless eating or drinking.

All shops, schools, colleges, universities, youth clubs and hotels remain open.

Maximum of 30 people at funerals, 15 at wakes.

Organised sport can take place outdoors. Indoor organised sport must follow the “rule of six”, apart from children’s sports.