So today it has been announced that we are Tier 2.
Here are the rules from December 2nd are as follows:
Social
You must not socialise with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place you must not socialise in a group of more than 6 people outside, including in a garden or a public space – this is called the ‘rule of 6’
Businesses & Hospitality
businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a covid-secure manner, other than those which remain closed by law, such as nightclubs
pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals
hospitality businesses selling food or drink for consumption on their premises are required to: provide table service only, in premises which sell alcohol
- close between 11pm and 5am (hospitality venues in airports, ports, transport
services and motorway service areas are exempt)
-stop taking orders after 10pm
hospitality businesses and venues selling food and drink for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through
early closure (11pm) applies to casinos, cinemas, theatres, museums, bowling alleys, amusement arcades, funfairs, theme parks, adventure parks and activities, and bingo halls. Cinemas, theatres and concert halls can stay open beyond 11pm in order to conclude performances that start before 10pm
Sport & Outdoor events
public attendance at outdoor and indoor events (performances and shows) is permitted, limited to whichever is lower: 50% capacity, or either 2,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors
public attendance at spectator sport and business events can resume inside and outside, subject to social contact rules and limited to whichever is lower: 50% capacity, or either 2,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors
organised outdoor sport, and physical activity and exercise classes can continue
organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes will only be permitted if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with (or share a support bubble with). There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s, which can take place with larger groups mixing
P
laces of Worship
places of worship remain open but you must not socialise with people from outside of your household or support bubble while you are indoors there, unless a legal exemption applies
weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on numbers of attendees – 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies and receptions, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies, and 15 people can attend linked commemorative events such as wakes or stonesettings.
Travel
you can continue to travel to venues or amenities which are open, but should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible
if you live in a tier 2 area, you must continue to follow tier 2 rules when you travel to a tier 1 area. Avoid travel to or overnight stays in tier 3 areas other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities.You can travel through a tier 3 area as a part of a longer journey
for international travel see the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice for your destination and the travel corridors list
Exemptions from gatherings limits in all tiers
as part of a single household, or a support bubble
for work or providing voluntary or charitable services, including in other people’s homes
for childcare, education or training – meaning education and training provided as part of a formal curriculum
for supervised activities provided for children, including wraparound care (before and after-school childcare), groups and activities for under 18s, and children’s playgroups
for formal support groups, and parent and child groups – up to 15 people aged 5 and older
to allow contact between birth parents and children in care, as well as between siblings in care
for arrangements where children do not live in the same household as both their parents or guardians
for prospective adopting parents to meet a child or children who may be placed with them
for birth partners
to attend a funeral – with no more than 30 people present – or a commemorative event such as a wake for someone who has died – with no more than 15 people present
to see someone who is terminally ill or at the end of life
to attend a wedding or civil partnership – with no more than 15 people present
to provide emergency assistance
to avoid injury or illness, or to escape a risk of harm
to fulfil a legal obligation, such as attending court or jury service
to provide care or assistance to someone vulnerable or to provide respite for a carer
to facilitate moving home
CHRISTMAS PERIOD Between 23 and 27 December:
you can form an exclusive ‘Christmas bubble’ composed of people from no more than three households
you can only be in one Christmas bubble
you cannot change your Christmas bubble
you can travel between tiers and UK nations for the purposes of meeting your Christmas bubble
you can only meet your Christmas bubble in private homes or in your garden, places of worship, or public outdoor spaces
you can continue to meet people who are not in your Christmas bubble outside your home according to the rules in the tier where you are staying
you cannot meet someone in a private dwelling who is not part of your household or Christmas bubble
You should travel to meet those in your Christmas bubble and return home between the 23 and 27 December. Anyone travelling to or from Northern Ireland may travel on the 22 and 28 December.
A fixed bubble is a sensible and proportionate way to balance the desire to spend time with others over the Christmas period, while limiting the risk of spreading infection. However, the more people you see, the more likely it is that you will catch or spread coronavirus (COVID-19). You can spread coronavirus to others even if you and the people you meet have no symptoms. You and the other people in your Christmas bubble need to consider these risks carefully before agreeing to form a bubble. You should consider ways to celebrate Christmas in other ways, such as the use of technology and meeting outdoors, without bringing households together or travelling between different parts of the country.
Forming a bubble if you are vulnerable or clinically extremely vulnerable carries additional risks - see advice for clinically vulnerable people.
You should keep taking steps to reduce the spread of the virus, and this will help ensure that the festive period is as safe as possible. This includes ensuring indoor spaces get as much fresh air as possible, washing your hands regularly and for 20 seconds, and following rules on self-isolation if you develop symptoms or test positive for coronavirus. You should get a free NHS test if you have symptoms, have been asked to by your local council or your hospital, or are taking part in a government pilot project.