Lockdown 2.0 in England is due to end tomorrow. The tier system is back in place with tougher restrictions as of the 2nd of December. Not much changed for you if, like me, you’ve become a bit of homebody after such an unusual year. Or the pubs closing, again, could have had a real influence on your social life.
We survived the second lockdown just like the first and now we’re through the other side – but what comes next?
England is entering a new structured tier system. More locations are within higher tiers in the hopes of restricting and containing the virus, to ease the pressure on the NHS as we go into Winter, a difficult period for hospitals and doctors. This is all put in place to ultimately reduce the R rate (rate of infection.)
There are 3 tiers again – medium, high and very high. Each location is in a tier depending on its infection rate and hospital numbers. But what do the different tiers mean and what impact will it have on business travellers in the post lockdown period? SITU have taken a look at the new restrictions and compiled them together into an easy-to-read blog, just for you.
All Tiers – Post Lockdown
- Continue to work from home when able to do so.
- Wear face coverings indoors and on public transport at all times.
- School & educational centres are to remain open as usual with social distancing measures in place.
- It is preferable to travel by foot or bike if you are able and if possible avoid travel during busy peaks.
- All non-essential businesses are able to reopen as well as gyms, exercise and sports facilities.
- Hairdressers, public buildings, public parks and houses of worship can reopen.
TIER 1: MEDIUM ALERT
- Socialising is acceptable both inside and outdoors as long as there are only 6 of you. – The rule of 6 is back!
- Food and drink venues are allowed to reopen as long as they are table service only and close between the hours of 11 pm and 5 am with last orders at 10 pm. This excludes airport, transport services and motorway services who are exempt from this rule.
- Early closures apply to casinos, cinemas, concert halls, museum, bowling alleys. Fun fairs, theme parks, bingo halls and so on, all must close their doors by 11pm. (If shows begin before 10pm, the venue may stay open until close of show.)
- Public attendance at outdoor and indoor events are permitted, including shows and concerts with a limit to 50% of capacity or 4,000 outdoors and 1,000 indoors – whichever is lower.
- Public attendance at spectator sports and business events can go ahead both inside and out with a limit of 50% capacity or 4,000 outdoors and 1,000 indoors – whichever is lower.
- Wedding and funerals can go ahead with restrictions. 15 people are allowed to attend weddings with 30 people at funerals.
- Organised outdoor sport can resume while indoor sport can take place following the rule of 6.
- Travel is permitted between different tiered locations as long as you follow the rules and regulations of that particular tier while in it.
TIER 2: HIGH ALERT
Areas in Tier 2 will have a higher, rapidly increasing level of infections. To help lower the transmission rate, further restrictions have been put in place. These include:
- Socialising is only permitted indoors with those you live with or your support bubble. (Your support bubble is one other single household.)
- Outside socialising as a group of 6 is still permitted.
- Pubs and bars must close unless operating as a restaurant as they can remain open as long as they operate table service only and close between 11pm and 5am with last orders at 10pm.
- Early closures apply to casinos, cinemas, concert halls, museum, bowling alleys. Fun fairs, theme parks, bingo halls and so on, all must close their doors by 11pm. (If shows begin before 10pm, the venue may stay open until close of show.)
- Public attendance at outdoor and indoor events are permitted, including shows and concerts with a limit to 50% of capacity or 4,000 outdoors and 1,000 indoors – whichever is lower.
- Public attendance at spectator sports and business events can go ahead both inside and out with a limit of 50% capacity or 4,000 outdoors and 1,000 indoors – whichever is lower.
- Places of worships can remain open, but you must not socialise with others outside of your household or support bubble.
- Wedding and funerals can go ahead with restrictions. 15 people are allowed to attend weddings with 30 people at funerals.
- Organised outdoor sport can resume while indoor sport can take place as long as it is possible to go ahead without mixing households.
- Travel is permitted between different tiered locations as long as you follow the rules and regulations of that particular tier.
- Avoid overnight stays in tier 3 areas but otherwise it is permitted.
TIER 3: VERY HIGH ALERT
The locations in Tier 3 have a very high or very rapidly increased level of infection. Therefore, even greater actions are in place to help reduce the spreading and keep people safe.
- You must not meet with anyone else indoors unless you live with them or they are in your support bubble.
- Outside, socialising as a group of 6 is still permitted.
- All pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants are closed – they are only allowed to remain open if they’re operating as a takeaway only.
- Accommodation venues such as hotels, campsites and guest house all must close. There are exceptions for those who require it for work, education or training.
- Casinos, cinemas, concert halls, museum, bowling alleys. Fun fairs, theme parks, bingo halls and so on, all must close.
- Indoor attractions and most outdoor entertainment venues must close.
- Leisure and sports facilities may continue to remain open, but group classes should be cancelled, and Saunas and steam rooms should be closed.
- There is to be no public attendance at spectator sports or indoor performances. Elite sports may continue without spectators.
- Large outdoor events will not be permitted to take place unless run in a ‘drive-in’ fashion.
- Places of worships can remain open, but you must not socialise with others outside your household or support bubble.
- Wedding and funerals can go ahead with restrictions. 15 people are allowed to attend weddings with 30 people at funerals.
- Organised outdoor sport can resume as long as people don’t mix. High contact sports should not take place.
- Indoor sport should not take place.
- Avoid travelling to other parts of the UK including overnight stays unless necessary for work.
Hopefully having all these restrictions in one place might help you plan ahead and make your next business trip a little safer. By choosing a serviced apartment your accommodation too, you will have all you need to follow post lockdown restrictions.
Should you require any more information about the post lockdown tier system, please look at the government’s website for all the COVID related content you need. Otherwise, look at other SITU blogs that discuss who falls into what tier and just what Christmas in 2020 might look like.