Coronavirus: Which tier is my area – and what are the rules of the three-tier lockdown?
Written by News on 21/10/2020
New areas have been added to England’s three-tier system of local lockdown measures.
The Local COVID Alert Levels – “medium”, “high” and “very high” – are being implemented depending on local infection rates.
What are the rules for the different tiers – and which is your area in?
Tier 1 – Medium
- 10pm curfew for bars, pubs and restaurants
- Gatherings of more than six people banned, apart from some settings such as funerals and weddings
Areas in Tier 1:
Everywhere in England apart from the places listed further down are in Tier 1.
Tier 2 – High:
- Mixing of households indoors not allowed
- Rule of six applies to private gardens and outdoor spaces – social distancing rules also apply
- Pubs and restaurants remain open, but no mixing of households inside and 10pm curfew
Areas in Tier 2:
The following areas will enter Tier 2 on 17 October:
- London
- Essex
- Elmbridge, Surrey
- Barrow-in-Furness
- York
- North East Derbyshire
- Erewash, Derbyshire
- Chesterfield
These areas have been in Tier 2 since 12 October. The whole area is included, unless specified:
Cheshire
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Cheshire East
Warrington
Derbyshire
- High Peak – the wards of Tintwistle, Padfield, Dinting, St John’s, Old Glossop, Whitfield, Simmondley, Gamesley, Howard Town, Hadfield South and Hadfield North
West Yorkshire
North East
Tees Valley
West Midlands
- Birmingham
- Sandwell
- Solihull
- Wolverhampton
- Walsall
Leicester
- Leicester
- Oadby and Wigston
Nottinghamshire
Tier 3 – Very high:
- No mixing of households indoors and outdoors, including in private gardens
- Pubs and bars to close
- Restaurants, and pubs that can operate as restaurants, allowed to stay open
- No wedding receptions
- Local politicians will decide if gyms, betting shops, casinos, hairdressers and beauty salons should close
- Non-essential shops, schools and universities to remain open
- Avoid non-essential travel
- Travel outside area advised against
- Avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK if resident in a Tier 3 area
- People resident elsewhere should avoid staying overnight in a Tier 3 area
Areas in Tier 3:
South Yorkshire (from 23 October) – betting shops, adult gaming centres, casinos and soft play centres must close
Greater Manchester – betting shops, casinos, bingo halls, adult gaming centres and soft play areas have to shut
Lancashire, including Blackpool, and Blackburn with Darwen – adult gaming industry, casinos, bingo halls, bookmakers and betting shops, and soft play areas must close while car boot sales are not permitted
Liverpool City Region – betting shops, casinos and adult gaming centres must close as well
- Liverpool
- Knowsley
- Wirral
- St Helens
- Sefton
- Halton
Why has the system been developed?
Different parts of the country are experiencing differing rates of COVID-19 transmission.
The government has decided a local lockdown approach will be more effective than another national lockdown.
(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: Which tier is my area – and what are the rules of the three-tier lockdown?