Tier 2 lockdown: What you can and can't do in 'high'…

Tier 2 lockdown: What you can and can't do in 'high' risk areas

Sixteen more areas of England are moving into Tier 2 restrictions from Saturday.

Large swathes of the Yorkshire, the East Midlands and West Midlands, as well as Luton and Oxford, will be moved to 'high' alert level, meaning added coronavirus rules for an estimated 3.6million people on Halloween weekend.

The bottom tier is ‘medium’, before rising to ‘high’ at the second level. ‘Very high’ is the top tier.

Restrictions get more severe the higher up the system.

The Department of Health and Social Care says places put into Tier 2 restrictions will be reviewed every two weeks, but the three-tier rules will last for six months.

The decision on which tier towns or cities will be go into - or whether they'll move up or down - are not be based on infection rates alone.

Local leaders, Public Health England and the Joint Biosecurity Centre - who have previously looked at growth rates and the number of people in hospital - will work out when areas will move from one tier to another.

To help people understand what the restrictions are in their area, the Government has made a postcode checker available.

Tier 2 lockdown rules

The rules announced for those living in places listed as ‘high’ in Tier 2 will reflect many of the current local lockdown measures that already exist in places such as the North East and North West.

The aim is now to apply these levels consistently across the country.

It does mean that anyone living in a Tier 2 area cannot be able meet others not in their household or bubble indoors. Social bubbles remain in place though, so people can meet others in their extended households.

However, one thing that is now allowed is to meet family and friends in each other's gardens, as well as beer gardens. But going into someone else's house, or meeting in a public setting such as a cafe, is still not allowed.

All outdoor meetings must also follow the existing Rule of Six limits.

All retail, including non-essential shops as well as gyms and hairdressers, can remain open, while organised indoor sport and exercise classes can also continue to take place, provided the Rule of Six is observed.

Travel is also discouraged where possible, rather than restricted. Anyone needing to travel is asked to walk or cycle where possible, or plan ahead to avoid busy times and routes on public transport.

Other Tier 1 rules, including the 10pm pub curfew (with table service) and advice to work from home, also applies to people living in Tier 2 areas.

If a Tier 2 area is moved down into Tier 1, the restrictions will be loosened to match the current national rules.

Tier 3 rules are more severe and would lead to pubs having to close unless they can operate as a restaurant.

Tier 2 shielding

People who previously had to shield will be encouraged to cut down on trips to the supermarket if they live in a Tier 2 area (AFP via Getty Images)

People living in Tier 2 locations who had to shield earlier this year will be asked to follow additional guidance.

That means reducing the number of different people met outside and avoiding travel except for essential journeys.

People who previously had to shield are also encouraged to work from home where possible, or ensure workplaces are Covid secure if that's not possible. Children should still attend school.

Shopping trips should also be reduced, or made at quieter times.

Tier 2 locations

London will move into Tier 2 lockdown restrictions from Saturday (Daily Mirror/Ian Vogler)

Yorkshire and the Humber (from 00.01 on Saturday)

East Riding of Yorkshire
Kingston-Upon-Hull
North East Lincolnshire
North Lincolnshire

West Midlands (from 00.01 on Saturday)

Dudley
Staffordshire
Telford and the Wrekin

East Midlands (from 00.01 on Saturday)

Amber Valley
Bolsover
Derbyshire Dales
Derby City
South Derbyshire
The whole of High Peak
Charnwood

East of England (from 00.01 on Saturday)

Luton

Oxford (from 00.01 on Saturday)

Coventry

Slough

Stoke-on-Trent

London

Essex

Essex County Council

Surrey

Elmbridge

Cumbria

Barrow-in-Furness

North Yorkshire

York

Derbyshire

Chesterfield
NE Derbyshire
Erewash
High Peak - the wards of Tintwistle, Padfield, Dinting, St John’s, Old Glossop, Whitfield, Simmondley, Gamesley, Howard Town, Hadfield South, Hadfield North

Cheshire