Announcing the news to the House of Commons this week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the new tier system will be implemented to replace the existing lockdown, in place until December 2. Which areas will go into which tiers is expected to be announced by the Government on Thursday, with the Prime Minister putting the delay down to difficulties in getting the latest data
What does Tier 2 mean?
Outlining the tiers, Boris Johnson said: “In particular, in Tier 1 people should work from home wherever possible.
“In Tier 2, alcohol may only be served in hospitality settings as part of a substantial meal.
“In Tier 3, indoor entertainment, hotels and other accommodation will have to close, along with all forms of hospitality except for delivery and takeaways.”
Mr Johnson added that he is “very sorry” for the “hardship” that such restrictions will cause business owners.
READ MORE: What tier was London in before lockdown? Will London go into tier 3?
People should be looking to reduce the number of non-essential journeys they make, too, and look to cycle wherever they can.
When using public transport is inevitable, people are advised to plan their journey in advance in an effort to avoid rush hour.
Announcing the measures to the Commons, the Prime Minister said sports will be allowed to resume with spectators in Tier 2.
In addition, gyms and leisure centres will also be allowed to reopen their doors to customers, while outdoor exercise can still go ahead too.
Hairdressers, beauty salons, and other close contact services can also reopen their business.
Cinemas, which were forced to close in the current lockdown, will also open on December 2 alongside bingo halls, bowling alleys and soft play centres.
The 10pm hospitality curfew imposed on pubs and restaurants has been tweaked so that last orders are at 10pm and the venue has to be cleared out at 11pm.
This is understood to have been done in a bid to allow customers to leave in a staggered way, rather than having masses of people getting on public transport and gathering together at the same time.
However, people who can work from home are still urged to do so in the new tier system.
Theatres will be allowed to open to 1,000 people or 50 percent of their overall capacity, depending on which is smaller.
Support bubbles have been widened across all three tiers, meaning couples can form a support bubble with another entire household.
People living in Tier 2 can go on holiday or stay overnight in a second home as there will be no blanket ‘stay at home order’, with the ban on foreign travel also being lifted.
