Areas of England today learnt which rules they will need to follow once the national lockdown comes to an end - and Liverpool and London have escaped Greater Manchester's strict Tier 3 lockdown.
Health secretary Matt Hancock made the announcement in the House of Commons this morning, with areas divided into Tiers 1, 2 or 3 based on their infection rates.
And while Greater Manchester and Birmingham landed in Tier 3, Liverpool and London were in the more lenient Tier 2 category.
Placing Liverpool, whose residents have been subject to a mass testing pilot, in Tier Two, Mr Hancock said: "Liverpool cases are now low enough for the whole city region to be placed into Tier Two.
"I want to pay tribute to the people of Liverpool, NHS Test and Trace, the university hospital trust and Mayor Joe Anderson."
While acknowledging the many lives lost to Covid-19 in Liverpool, he praised the city's 'impressive leadership and true sense of public service'.
He said the number of cases in the Liverpool City Region had fallen by two thirds while in Liverpool itself, where mass testing was in place, cases have been cut by three quarters.
It means our Liverpudlian neighbours can mix outdoors in groups of six, enjoy a pint with a meal and take in live shows and sports events - including football matches.
In Greater Manchester, meanwhile, pubs and restaurants will remain closed except for takeaways and live events and football matches are banned.
The capital was also granted greater freedom in Tier Two, while Birmingham and Black Country were placed in category 3.
The government warned ahead of the announcement that they will not be negotiating with local leaders in areas set to go into Tier 3.
The restrictions will be 'uniform' and funding will be worked out through a set formula, the government has said.
Areas placed in Tier 2 will see tougher restrictions than before with the closure of any food and drink venue that does not serve substantial meals.
