ENGLAND is going into a new coronavirus tier system next week, but can shops, gyms, hairdressers and cafes stay open in Tier 2 areas?
The nation is being split into a three-tier system from December 2, with regions classed as either medium, high or very high risk.
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The tier system is replacing the national lockdown, which has been in place since November 5.
Under the new system, Tier 2 areas are classed as “high” risk, while Tier 1 places are “medium” risk.
Meanwhile, areas under Tier 3 restrictions – which are deemed “very high risk” – face the toughest lockdown measures.
But what does this mean for hairdressers, non-essential shops and cafes? We explain all you need to know.
Which areas are under tier two lockdown restrictions?
The Sun has a full list of every Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 area in England.
Below are the places in Tier 2 (high alert):
North West
Yorkshire
West Midlands
East Midlands
East of England
London
- All 32 boroughs plus the City of London
South East
South West
Can hairdressers stay open in Tier 2 areas?
Yes, hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons can stay open in Tier 2 areas.
In previous lockdowns, they were forced to close – leaving Brits going months without a professional haircut.
What are the rules for Tier 2 areas?
MILLIONS of Brits will be under Tier 2 measures by next week, including London and Liverpool.
- No mixing of households indoors, whether at home or other indoor settings
- No socialising in a group of more than six people outside, including gardens and public spaces
- Restaurants and pubs that can operate as restaurants are allowed to stay open, but they can only serve booze with substantial meals
- Hospitality venues must close at 11pm, with last orders at 10pm. However, they can continue to offer delivery, click and collect or drive-thru after this time
- Entertainment venues such as casinos and cinemas can open
- Outdoor and indoor events are permitted, but limited to whichever is lower: 50% capacity, or either 2,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors
- Places of worship remain open
- Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on numbers of attendees
- Organised outdoor sport, and physical activity and exercise classes can continue
- Organised indoor sport and exercise classes will only be permitted if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with other households
Can non-essential shops stay open in Tier 2 areas?
Non-essential shops will be allowed to stay open in the whole of England, regardless of the Tier.
It was a different story when England was placed into a full lockdown, which meant only essential retailers could remain open for browsing.
Meanwhile, non-essential retailers have been able to offer home delivery and click and collect services during lockdown.
Retailers including Primark, Aldi and Wilko all plan to extend their opening hours once lockdown ends.
Can gyms stay open in Tier 2 areas?
Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools will be able to reopen in all three tiers, but there’ll be some restrictions.
In Tier 2 areas, indoor group classes can still take place but only if there is no interaction between people from different households.
Can cafes, restaurants and pubs stay open in Tier 2 ares?
Cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars will open in Tier 2 areas, but pubs and bars can only serve booze alongside a “substantial meal” – including outside.
Pubs and bars operating as restaurants must also provide table service only.
Pubgoers will only be able to dine with people they live with indoors, but can sit with people outside their household outside under the “rule of six“.
The 10pm curfew will also be scrapped – with an hour of drinking and dining time now extended until 11pm under Tier 2.
What other businesses can stay open in Tier 2 areas?
The following businesses and places will also stay open in Tier 2 areas:
- Supermarkets
- Schools
- Universities
- Colleges
- Casinos
- Cinemas
- Theatres
- Museums
- Bowling alleys
- Amusement arcades
- Funfairs
- Theme parks
- Adventure parks and activities
- Bingo halls
Boris Johnson has promised there is “hope” for all to escape their Tiers – and vowed to review them before Christmas.
It comes after it was insinuated that some of the restrictions could be in place for six months.
We explain the rules for going to the pub if you live in a Tier 2 area.
Robert Jenrick says it’s possible an area could move from Tier 3 to Tier 2 before Christmas
This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
