Bristol, South Gloucestershire and parts of Somerset will face the toughest Tier 3 restrictions when the second national lockdown ends on December 2, the Government announced yesterday (November 26.)
This means mixing of households indoors and in most outdoor places is forbidden (unless as part of a support bubble) and bars, pubs and restaurants must remain closed apart from takeaways.
However some areas in the West including Bath and North East Somerset will go into a different tier next Wednesday - tier 2 - which means restaurants can remain open, and pubs can serve alcohol as part of a ‘substantial meal’.
But can you travel from Bristol to Bath, a tier 3 to a tier 2 area, when lockdown ends on December 2?
The Government guidance is to avoid it.
You should avoid travelling to other parts of the UK if you are in a tier 3 area, including for overnight stays other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities.
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You can travel through different tiered areas as part of a longer journey.
A spokesperson from Avon and Somerset Police said: “Under the new tier system, outlined by the Government, which is due to come into force next Wednesday (2 December), people living in tier 3 areas are advised not to travel into or out of their area, unless the travel is necessary.
“The same advice applies to those living in tier 2 in relation to travelling into areas designated as tier 3. This is guidance and not legislation.
“We would urge all residents to comply with this guidance in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 - a deadly disease which has already claimed the lives of more than 57,000 people.”
What about if you live in a Tier 2 area?
If you live in a Tier 2 area, such as Bath, you must continue to follow Tier 2 rules when you travel to a Tier 1 area, such as Cornwall.
In tier 2 the guidance is to avoid travel to or overnight stays in Tier 3 areas other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities.
What about tier 1?
Not many places in England have been placed under tier 1 restrictions from next Wednesday, but if you live in a tier one area you can travel to a tier 2 area given you follow the rules for that area while you are there.
The government is advising against people in tier 2 and 3 areas travelling to tier 3 areas, placed under “very high alert.”
For all the restrictions and what they mean, see here.
