HOW COVID ALERT CHANGES AFFECT YOU
CITY AND PARTS OF COUNTY PUT INTO TIER 2 AS CURFEWS ALSO ANNOUNCED
The rule of six will continue to apply outdoors where it is harder for the virus to spread
Prime Minister
BORIS Johnson says Leicester will be placed under Tier 2 restrictions following the announcement of the new three-tier lockdown system across the UK.
This tier - also called the “high alert” level – means Leicester is considered a high-risk area, and a number of restrictions - some very familiar - come along with the new classification.
Many of the rules are similar to those the city has been under previously, as it has been in some form of lockdown since March, but some have changed.
Mr Johnson told the House of Commons: “We will now simplify and standardise our local rules, by introducing a three-tiered system of local Covid alert levels in England set at medium, high and very high.
“The medium alert level will cover most of the country and will consist of the current national measures, this includes the rule of six and the closure of hospitality at 10pm.”
The PM continued: “The high alert level reflects the interventions in many local areas at the moment. This primarily aims to reduce household to household transmission by preventing all mixing between different households or support bubbles indoors.
“In these areas the rule of six will continue to apply outdoors where it is harder for the virus to spread in public spaces, as well as private gardens.”
Simply put, in the high alert level, household mixing will be banned indoors, which has been the case in Leicester previously, but support bubbles – which allow adults who live alone or with dependent children to mix with another household – will still be permitted.
The good news for Leicester is that by being moved into the Tier 2 restrictions, two households will be able to meet outdoors.
This means, once again, two groups of up to six people in total can meet in gardens or parks - but they must not meet inside pubs, homes, restaurants, or any other indoor setting.
The rules from Tier 1 - including the rule of six and hospitality closing at 10pm - also apply to Leicester.