Reuniting with family and friends is now illegal in parts of the UK affected by the blockade

Millions of people face restrictions on when and where they can meet friends or family under England’s new tiered lockdown system.

Socialization is slowing further in areas that are being placed in the ‘high alert’ and ‘very high alert’ categories announced today by the Government.

The second level includes a ban on homes to mix indoors, while level three makes it illegal to mix with other homes in any environment. This includes support bubbles.

All locations that were previously under local lockdown will be placed on the second level, while Merseyside is currently the only area that enters level three.

MPs from Manchester, Birmingham, Leicester and Sheffield have confirmed that their cities will be subject to the second tier rules.

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The prime minister confirmed that Nottinghamshire, East and West Cheshire and a part of High Peak will also be added, without having been under any additional restrictions previously.

London was expected to rank at level two, but this was not mentioned in Mr. Johnson’s address.

Under second-level rules, meetings are restricted indoors in any setting, including pubs and restaurants. People can still meet their loved ones outside.

Describing the new system in the House of Commons, Boris Johnson said: ‘The high alert level reflects interventions in many local areas at this time.

‘This is primarily aimed at reducing home-to-home transmission by avoiding any mixing between different homes or by supporting bubbles indoors.

“In these areas, the rule of six will continue to apply outdoors, where it is most difficult for the virus to spread, in public places and private gardens.”

The new measures mean that some areas that have been living under local confinements, such as Middlesbrough and Hartlepool, will see the rules relaxed somewhat as visits to the gardens have been banned until now.

Pubs and restaurants in level two areas can remain open, but can only be visited by people living together in the same household.

In contrast, areas that have been placed on level three will see all pubs being closed bars for the foreseeable future.

The ban on indoor gatherings for level two venues does not apply to schools or workplaces, which are exempt.

It has also been reported that exemptions are also expected to apply in very limited circumstances, for example, to visit a loved one who is dying or to care for children. But the government has not yet released all the details.

The police have powers to enforce the rules and can impose fines of up to £ 10,000 for illegal assemblies.

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