Prime Minster Boris Johnson has spoken virtually addressing the nation with unveiling the winter plans for the next stage of lockdown measures within England. With statistics still confirming high infection rates and saddening fatalities, the approach has been made to enforce back into play the tier system across the nation with towns and city’s been placed in a certain tier 1, 2 or 3 depending on the severity of the Coronavirus spread and severities within their region. By Nicola Wright
The news from the Prime Minister comes following a confirmation of a breakthrough vaccine for the virus. AstraZeneca and Oxford University have confirmed their vaccines are on average 70% effective and cost a tiny fraction of £2 per dose. The trailed and tested vaccines have been a success which is giving millions around the globe hope with edging ever closer to some normality as we know it post Coronavirus. It has also been confirmed that millions of doses could be available in the UK by Easter 2021.
But as it stands within the UK from December 2nd will see non-essential shops, hairdressers, gyms and leisure facilities to reopen across the whole of England regardless of which tier your region is in. “Rule of six” will return which will enable people to meet in outdoor public areas across England. Outdoor leisure activities, weddings and places of worship can go ahead and resume subject to following the safety guidelines and social distancing measures advised. Lastly the 10pm curfew which was placed on pubs across the nation has also been amended and extended by an extra hour giving customers up to 11pm with last orders being 10 pm.
possible to work remotely from home then use this option whenever possible but with Tier 2 and Tier 3 having tougher measures.
*Tier 1 – Work from home if possible and a maximum of six people from various households can meet both in and outdoors.
*Tier 2 – No indoor mixing of various households but up to six can meet outdoors. With pubs and bars having to close unless they are serving meals alongside beverages.
*Tier 3 – The hospitality sector as a whole will be affected and will have to close except if offering takeaway, delivery and drive-through options, with hotels and entertainment venues having to close within this tier. No indoor or outdoor mixing with individuals unless within your support bubble.
The regional tier announcements will shortly follow on Thursday advising which regions will be placed in which tier. Boris Johnson stated within his speech that he was “very sorry” for difficulty that the restrictions has caused and is continuing to do so to business owners as it comes that more businesses are on the “verge” of closing.
Restrictions on international travel will be lifted also from the December 2.
It is worth noting that 70 Conservative MP;s are agaisnt tehse measures and now Boris has to rely on labour to allow this to pass through Parliament.
