Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce the details of a new localised tier system of COVID-19 restrictions that will come into force in England from 2nd December.
Full details are yet to be released but the following has been mentioned in many of today’s papers:
- Non-essential retail will be allowed to open, in a boost for Christmas shoppers – and the high street
- Gyms will be allowed to open too
- The 10pm curfew for pubs and restaurants, which critics claim did more harm than good, will be scrapped and possibly replaced with an 11pm curfew
- Mass testing will be introduced in all tier three areas
It has been reported that pubs in tier three will only be open for takeaway – while those in tier two must serve substantial meals, even to outdoor customers.
The news will come as a boost for the high street in the lead up to Christmas, with many facing a critical few weeks to ensure survival.
More areas are set to be placed in the higher tiers – high risk or very high risk after the national lockdown ends. Herefordshire COULD be placed under Tier 2 (High) restrictions, with a current infection rate of just over 170 cases per 100,000 population. Herefordshire Council had planned to impose Tier 2 restrictions when cases rose over 100 cases per 100,000 population but Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a national lockdown prior to this happening.
