A new tier system will come into force next week, Boris Johnson has announced.
When the current national lockdown restrictions come to an end on December 2, a new 'strengthened' regional tier system will be put in place.
The tiered system was first introduced back in October to curb the spread of coronavirus but has now been tweaked to be made "tougher" in the government's "Covid Winter Plan".
The Prime Minister announced on Monday: "So we're not going to replace national measures with a free for all, the status quo anti-Covid, we're going to go back instead to a regional tiered approach – applying the toughest measures where Covid is most prevalent.
"And while the previous local tiers did cut the 'R' number, they were not quite enough to reduce it below one.
"So the scientific advice, I'm afraid, is that as we come out our tiers need to be made tougher."
The new tougher restrictions means that businesses will have to remain closed in Tier 3 areas.
In Tier 3, hospitality venues such as bars (including shisha venues), pubs, cafes and restaurants must remain closed.
They are permitted to continue sales by takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services.
Accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, and guest houses must also shut unless it falls under one of several exemptions, such as for those who use these venues as their main residence, and those requiring the venues where it is reasonably necessary for work or education and training.
Indoor entertainment venues must also close. This includes:
- indoor play centres and areas, including trampolining parks and soft play
- casinos
- bingo halls
- bowling alleys
- skating rinks
- amusement arcades and adult gaming centres
- laser quests and escape rooms
- cinemas, theatres and concert halls
- snooker halls
Indoor attractions at mostly outdoor entertainment venues must also close (indoor shops, through-ways and public toilets at such attractions can remain open).
This includes indoor attractions within:
- zoos, safari parks, and wildlife reserves
- aquariums, visitor attractions at farms, and other animal attractions
- model villages
- museums, galleries and sculpture parks
- botanical gardens, biomes or greenhouses
- theme parks, circuses, fairgrounds and funfairs
- visitor attractions at film studios, heritage sites such as castles and stately homes
- landmarks including observation decks and viewing platforms
Leisure and sports facilities - such as gyms - may continue to stay open, but group exercise classes (including fitness and dance) should not go ahead. Saunas and steam rooms should also stay closed.
