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The new coronavirus restrictions have come into effect in England under Boris Johnson’s three-tier lockdown system.
The prime minister unveiled new coronavirus alert levels earlier this week, where areas will be labeled medium, high or very high risk.
Most of England has been placed in the lowest tier, ‘middle’, where existing national regulations apply, such as pub closures at 10pm and the rule of six.
But hundreds of thousands of people in Merseyside must now live under stricter restrictions, as the Liverpool city region was the first area to be placed in the ‘very high risk’ category.
Pubs and bars that do not serve large meals must close in the upper level area, with bans on mixing in the home, except in outdoor areas such as parks.
The move comes amid growing alarm over infection rates, particularly in northern England.
(Image: REUTERS)
Parts of the Northeast and Greater Manchester are among the mid-category, “high” risk areas, which means a ban on indoor gatherings between homes.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is among local leaders who are fighting with the government to not be placed in a higher category.
The latest statistics show that the virus has spread rapidly among younger people, but infections are spreading to older age groups in the Northwest and Northeast.
Johnson’s team spent this weekend working out plans with local leaders, many of whom have openly criticized the government for excluding them from the plans.
This is what we know so far.
What is the three-level locking system?
Johnson revealed the new coronavirus alert levels in a statement in the Commons on Monday.
All areas of England have been labeled as ‘medium risk’, ‘high’ or ‘very high’, depending on the status of the virus.
The move is an attempt to fix discrepancies in local blocking rules, which are generally seen as confusing.
It also imposes stricter rules in parts of England where Covid-19 is spreading rapidly.
(Image: PA)
Rules for Level 1 – ‘medium’
Social contact: The existing limits of the ‘rule of six’ in social gatherings remain, indoors and outdoors. You must still obey the rules about wearing masks and social distancing.
Pubs and restaurants: Hospitality venues have a 10pm curfew and table service only.
Schools, universities and childcare: Stay open in all circumstances, but colleges should reflect broader restrictions in the area.
Travel and transportation: There are no travel restrictions.
Job: The advice is to work from home if you can.
Weddings and funerals: 15 guests can attend wedding ceremonies and receptions. Funerals can have up to 30 mourners, with only 15 people allowed at the wake.
Stores: All retail stores, including non-essential stores, can remain open.
Gyms, hair salons, public facilities: These can remain open.
Sports: Organized indoor sport and exercise classes may continue to be taught as long as the rule of six is observed
Time frame: The regulations apply to all of England and expire after six months, with a 28-day rule review.
Rules for Level 2 – ‘high’
Social contact: You cannot meet anyone outside your home or support the bubble on the inside. This applies at home or in a public place. The six-limit rule applies outdoors.
Pubs and restaurants: Hospitality venues have a 10pm curfew and table service only.
Schools, universities and childcare: Stay open in all circumstances, but colleges can do more learning online.
Travel and transportation: There are no travel restrictions, but it is recommended to minimize the number of trips you take.
Job: The advice is to work from home if you can.
Weddings and funerals: 15 guests can attend wedding ceremonies and receptions. Funerals can have up to 30 mourners, with only 15 people allowed at the wake.
Stores: All retail stores, including non-essential stores, can remain open.
Gyms, hairdressers, public facilities: These can remain open.
Sports: Organized indoor sport and exercise classes may continue to be taught as long as the rule of six is observed
Time frame: Areas will be reviewed every 14 days, regulations will be reviewed every 28 days and will expire after 6 months.
Rules for Level 3 – ‘very high’
Social contact: You cannot meet anyone outside your home or support the bubble on the inside. The strict rules also prohibit gatherings in private gardens, beer gardens, hospitality or ticketed venues. You will only be able to see people who are not at home or the bubble is in an open public space, such as a park, forest, beach, and in groups of no more than six.
Pubs and restaurants: All bars must close unless they serve food. You can only buy alcohol if you are also consuming a “substantial meal”, not a bar snack.
Schools, universities and childcare: These remain open in all circumstances, but universities can do more learning online.
Travel and transportation: You should limit travel outside of your local area, except for work and school trips. This is a guide, rather than the law. People are discouraged from spending the night outside the area or visitors staying from other locations.
Job: The advice is to work from home if you can.
Weddings and funerals: 15 guests can attend wedding ceremonies, but receptions are prohibited. Funerals can have up to 30 mourners, with only 15 people allowed at the wake.
Stores: All retail stores, including non-essential stores, can remain open.
Gyms, hairdressers, public facilities: Local areas can negotiate if they close facilities, including casinos and gyms, like the ones they have in the Liverpool city region.
Sports: Organized indoor sport and exercise classes may continue to be taught as long as the rule of six is observed
Time frame: The regulations will be reviewed every 28 days and will expire after 6 months.
How do I find out what level I am at?
A full summary of the local authority areas has been published.
The Government will have an online postal code checker at gov.uk, where you can get information about restrictions in your area and wherever you need to travel.
The NHS Covid-19 app will also provide information on alert levels.
When this starts?
MPs approved the plans on Tuesday, which went into effect Wednesday.
Measurements will be reviewed periodically, depending on your area.
It is understood that there will be no standard threshold that must exceed infection rates before areas change level.
Any changes to the status of the level will be resolved between local leaders, Public Health England and the Joint Center for Biosafety.
In the past, experts have considered things like the growth rate of the disease and the number of people hospitalized.
Complete list of areas by level
Level 3 areas (‘very high’ risk)
Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, Knowsley, Wirral, St Helens, Sefton, Halton).
Level 2 areas (‘high’ risk)
Cheshire:
● Cheshire West and Chester
● Cheshire East
Greater Manchester:
● Manchester
● Bolton
● Bury
● Stockport
● Tameside
● Trafford
● Wigan
● Salford
● Rochdale
● Oldham
Warrington:
● Warrington
(Image: Getty)
Derbyshire:
● High Peak: the rooms of:
○ Tintwistle
○ Padfield
○ Dinting
○ San Juan
○ Old Glossop
○ Whitfield
○ Simmondley
○ Gamesley
○ Howard Town
○ Hadfield South
○ Hadfield North
Lancashire:
● Lancashire
● Blackpool
● Preston
● Blackburn with Darwen
● Burnley
West Yorkshire:
● Leeds
● Bradford
● Kirklees
● Calderdale
● Wakefield
South Yorkshire:
● Barnsley
● Rotherham
● Doncaster
● Sheffield
Northeast:
● Newcastle
● South Tyneside
● North Tyneside
● Gateshead
● Sunderland
● Durham
● Northumberland
Valley of Tees:
● Middlesborough
● Redcar and Cleveland
● Stockton-on-Tees
● Darlington
● Hartlepool
West Midlands:
● Birmingham
● Sandwell
● Solihull
● Wolverhampton
● Walsall
Leicester:
● Leicester
● Oadby and Wigston
Nottingham:
● Nottinghamshire
● Nottingham City
Level 1 (‘medium’ risk)
All areas of England not listed above.
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