New Tiers start today

 Last night, national restrictions in England ended as our new localised tier system came into force – helping to ensure we keep the virus under control to save lives and protect the NHS.   

  • While infection levels have started to fall, they are still at a high level, and the pressure on hospitals remains severe. 
     
  • This tougher tiered system is necessary to keep the virus under control, avoid overwhelming the NHS or prevent another national lockdown which is more damaging and restrictive than the tiered system. 
     
  • Last night, national restrictions ended, as the government promised they would, and moving to the strengthened tiers set out in the Covid-19 Winter Plan.
     
  • Last night, the Prime Minister confirmed:

    • This is not another lockdown, or renewal of the previous measures in England. 
       
    • From today, everyone in England, including those in tier 3, will be free to leave their homes for any reason.
       
    • Shops open for Christmas - as are hairdressers, nail bars, gyms, churches, synagogues, mosques and temples.
       
    • In every tier, you will be able to meet others in parks and in public gardens, subject to the Rule of Six. 
       
    • There will be an opportunity to review all tier allocations at the first review point on 16 December.
       
    • The government will set out publicly the circumstances that need to change in each region for it to be considered to move down a tier.
       
    • The government will continue to support hospitality and hard-hit businesses, including a temporary relaxation in shop opening hours this Christmas and throughout January, allowing extended hours for shoppers on every high street Monday to Saturday. 
       
  • Although the approval of the first vaccine gives us hope, for now only by keeping the virus under control through these local measures will we be able to see friends and family over Christmas in a relatively safe way while managing the threat the virus still poses. As mass testing and vaccines are rolled out through winter and into the spring, the need for even localised restrictions will gradually reduce – and life can once again return closer to normality.

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