What are the new rules and which areas are affected?
Boris Johnson has announced a three-tier approach to coronavirus restrictions with all of England put into “medium”, “high” and “very high” risk categories. The prime minister set out the simplified and standardised system in a bid to stem the surge in Covid-19 cases.
Under all three tiers, schools, universities and childcare providers remain open and youth clubs can continue to run activities. But there are some key differences. Here is a breakdown of what each tier means.
Very high
For areas placed in the “very high” tier, restrictions will be placed on household mixing both indoors and outdoors, travel may be limited and pubs and bars not serving “substantial meals” will be forced to close.
The rule of six will still apply in outdoor public spaces and sports arenas but indoors, in gardens and at ticketed events, interactions will be limited to a single household or support bubble. Local leaders will help
to determine whether other venues should be closed, such as gyms or casinos. The restrictions will be reviewed every 28 days but could be extended for up to six months.
High
In “high” tier locations, household mixing is banned indoors, although support bubbles will still be permitted, while the rule of six will continue to apply outdoors. Most areas which are already subject to local restrictions will move to this level, the prime minister said.
Medium
These areas will be subject to the same national measures which currently apply across the country. These include the 10pm curfew for pubs and restaurants and a ban on most gatherings of more than six people.
Areas under each alert level
Very high
Liverpool City Region
- Liverpool
- Knowsley
- Wirral
- St Helens
- Sefton
- Halton
High
Cheshire
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Cheshire East
Greater 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 and Hadfield North
Lancashire
- Lancashire
- Blackpool
- Preston
- Blackburn with Darwen
- Burnley
West Yorkshire
- Leeds
- Bradford
- Kirklees
- Calderdale
- Wakefield
South Yorkshire
- Barnsley
- Rotherham
- Doncaster
- Sheffield
Northeast
- Newcastle
- South Tyneside
- North Tyneside
- Gateshead
- Sunderland
- Durham
- Northumberland
Tees Valley
- Middlesbrough
- Redcar and Cleveland
- Stockton-on-Tees
- Darlington
- Hartlepool
West Midlands
- Birmingham
- Sandwell
- Solihull
- Wolverhampton
- Walsall
Leicester
- Leicester
- Oadby and Wigston
Nottingham
- Nottinghamshire
- Nottingham City
Medium
All other areas in England