The government has confirmed when the new tiering system will come into force across England.
When the month-long nationwide lockdown was introduced for November, the Government stated it would run-up to and including Wednesday December 2.
The implication was that the lockdown would therefore be lifted on Thursday, December 3.
But the latest guidance on the government website now states that the lockdown will last 'until' Wednesday, December 2, ChronicleLive reports.
The three Tier system will kick in on on that date.
The Government's Winter Covid-19 plan states : "The current national restriction rules are still in place until December 2 and must be followed until they expire.
"The Government will replace them on December 2 with a regionally-differentiated approach, where different tiers of restrictions apply in different parts of the country."
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson confirmed the restrictions can be lifted on December 2, which will allow shops, gyms, barbers, hairdressers, golf courses and swimming pools to reopen on that day, rather than the day after.
The spokesman said: "Given their enormous economic, social and public health impact, the Government believes it is right to end national restrictions on December 2 now the virus is being brought under control.
"As a result, across the whole of England, the stay at home instruction will end, non-essential shops will reopen, personal care will open, the gym and leisure sector will no longer be closed, outdoor sporting activities will be able to take place once again, people will be able to meet friends and family in outdoor open spaces through the rule of 6, and weddings and collective worship can resume."
