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Boris Johnson has announced new Level 4 restrictions for London, the South East and the East of England, amid an increase in Covid-19 cases and the alarm about a new strain of coronavirus spreading rapidly in the region.
What does level 4 mean?
Under Level 4 restrictions, non-essential shops, hair salons, and entertainment venues must close, with a new “stay home” message.
People who need to travel for education or childcare are exempt and exercise is unlimited. When people can’t work from home, they can still commute to work.
According to the measures, households cannot mix, but one person can meet another outside in a public space. Support bubbles and those that gather for childcare are exempt.
Those who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable should not go to work and should limit time away from their homes.
Level 4 residents must not spend the night away from home and cannot travel abroad.
What does this mean for Christmas?
In London and the South East, people must stay at home during Christmas and must not meet with other households. A resident may meet another person for a walk, but not an entire family.
In the rest of England, the window for multi-household gatherings has been shortened from a five-day window between 23-27 to just Christmas Day.
What can I do at each level?
People of all levels are advised to stay in the country and “think carefully” if they need to travel abroad. At all levels, your restrictions follow you. For example, if you live in a level 3 area, you must continue to follow the level 3 rules even when traveling to a level 1 or level 2 area.
You can find out what level you live here.
Level 3
Stores, gyms, hair salons, and other non-essential personal care businesses may be opened. Places of worship can be opened and weddings are allowed. However, hospitality venues must close, with the exception of delivery and take-out services.
Everyone who can work from home must do so, but you can travel within your area for work purposes. You can also travel for reasons including education, groups of parents and young children, and to provide medical care or assistance, but you should avoid traveling outside of your area and reduce the amount of travel you take whenever possible.
People should not meet socially with those they do not live with for social reasons, unless they are in a bubble of support, except in a small number of outdoor places, such as parks or beaches. There, you cannot socialize in groups of more than six.
Outdoor sports and amateur team sports can continue at all levels, but at level 3, spectators cannot watch the sport.
You can read more about the Level 3 regulations, including the full list of exemptions, here.
Level 2
They can open nonessential stores, as well as gyms, hair salons, and other personal care businesses. Places of worship may be opened and weddings are allowed within local restrictions.
People who live in level 2 areas cannot meet people they do not live with indoors, unless they are in a bubble of support. Outside, including private gardens, they can only meet in groups of six.
Everyone who can work from home must, but you can travel within your area for work purposes. You can also travel for educational purposes and to provide medical care or assistance, but you should only travel if it is essential.
You should avoid traveling or staying overnight in Level 3 areas unless strictly necessary.
Hospitality venues may remain open, but only if they serve a large meal. Venues must receive last orders at 10:00 PM and close at 11:00 PM. Pubs and bars that do not serve “substantial” food should close completely. Indoor entertainment venues such as movie theaters, casinos, and bowling alleys may open, but must close at 11pm.
However, it should not mix with anyone other than your home or support bubble when indoors.
At level 2, you can watch sports, but there is social distancing and the crowds are limited. Stadiums can fill 50% capacity or host 2,000 people, whichever is smaller, outdoors or 1,000 people indoors.
You can read more about the Tier 2 regulations, including the full list of exemptions, here.
Tier 1
Level 1 is the lowest level of restrictions and the only level where you can meet people you don’t live with indoors and outdoors, both in groups of up to six.
Hospitality venues, including museums, cinemas, and pubs, may remain open, but last orders must be placed by 10 p.m. and venues must close by 11 p.m. Only table service may be used and should not be mixed in groups more than six, unless they all live together.
People are encouraged to work from home whenever possible and to reduce their travel time.
Residents in level 1 areas can watch sports, but the number is limited and there must be social distancing. Outdoor stadiums can hold 50% capacity or 4,000 people, whichever is smaller. Indoors, the maximum capacity is 1,000.
You can read more about the Tier 2 regulations, including the full list of exemptions, here.
How long will the measurements last?
All areas of South East England that are currently under Level 3 measures, including London, moved to Level 4 on Sunday. Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said these restrictions are likely to last for months, until the vaccine has been rolled out across the UK. The measures will be reviewed on December 30, as part of a broader review of the tier restrictions.
