Tier 2 and 3 lockdown rules explained: Can I go to the pub, have friends over and go on holiday?

THE Government’s Sage advisory body has warned that by mid-December all of England could be under tier 3 restrictions.

Virus rates all over the country will soar past the levels seen in areas already put into the “very high” category, according to the scientists.

Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

 

What areas are in Tier 2 and 3 lockdown?

Currently, South Yorkshire, Warrington Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Liverpool are in the top tier of measures, with millions more under tier two restrictions.

Large parts of the country are also in tier 2 measures.

Greater London is one of the areas along with Essex, Erewash, Elmbridge, North East Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Barrow in Furness, Chesterfield and York are also under tier two lockdown.

Here we explain what you can and can’t do depending on what tier you are living in.

I’m in Tier 2, can I have my friends over this weekend?

In places that are now in Tier 2, you can no longer be indoors with anyone from a different household.

One of the only exceptions is if you’re part of a support bubble with them.

This means that you can’t meet a partner for casual sex, and nor can you have friends over for dinner, or visit them inside their home either.

You can, however, meet in a pub garden – the trick is being outside.

Can I travel from a Tier 2 lockdown area to a Tier 1 area to see friends or family?

You can, but you have to follow the rules for Tier 2 still and only see people who live outside your household or support bubble in a garden, park or outdoors.

You cannot stay overnight with friends and family in a Tier 1 area or gather inside with them.

Basically, you should adopt the rules of your Tier depending on where you live.

If you travel from Tier 1 to Tier 2 or 3, you should adopt the tougher rules.

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In Tier 2 you can only see people outside your household outdoors[/caption]

Can my friends from Tier 3 lockdown areas come and visit me?

No – anyone living in any of these areas at the minute is under the strictest rules and is unable to mix with other households both indoors and outdoors.

You can still meet outdoors in a group of six in a few circumstances such as in park or on beaches, public gardens or outdoor sports courts.

Household mixing in beer gardens and ticketed venues is also banned.

People should try to avoid travelling outside Tier 3 areas – or into them – other than for essential things like work, education, accessing youth services and for caring responsibilities.

Overnight stays are also not advised for people from Tier 3 or those visiting Tier 3.

Can I still see my support bubble in Tier 2 and 3 lockdown?

Yes. A support bubble is defined by the government as “a close support network between one household with only one adult in the home (known as a single-adult household) and one other household of any size”.

However, the Rule of Six still applies in any tier – so if your support bubble contains more than six people you should not meet all at once.

In Tier Three, mixing between households is banned – but support bubbles are exempt. The Rule of Six must still be adopted in open public spaces like parks and beaches.

I’m in Tier 2, can I meet my brother for a drink in the pub?

Only if you live with your brother, or you have formed a support bubble, can you meet him in the pub with no restrictions.

If you live separately and are not in a bubble you can only sit in a pub garden and cannot go indoors together.

If I live in Tier 2 can I go to a restaurant to see friends in Tier 1?

Although the restrictions in Tier 1 still allow households to mix indoors or outdoors in a group of six, if you have come from a tier with stricter restrictions you must stick to them.

So therefore you can travel to meet them still but can only sit outside at a pub or restaurant together.

Remember to bring a mask if you need to pop to the loo, and that you will be kicked out at 10pm.

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Only in Tier 1 are you allowed to meet friends indoors for drinks or dinner[/caption]

Are schools and universities still open?

Yes. In all tiers schools, universities and places of education remain open.

The Government has been consistent in its message that schools will remain open regardless.

Can I still see my partner and have sex?

If you do not live together and are in Tier 2 you can still see each other outside, but No10 confirmed you cannot have sex or have physical contact.

But if one of you lives alone you can form a support bubble, in which case you can be as close as you like.

If you live in Tier 3 you are only able to meet up outside in certain spots such as parks or beaches, and you will still be unable to have physical contact.

Can you still use childcare?

In Tier 2 and 3 there are exceptions for gathering limits for registered childcare providers or nannies.

This means you can continue to use early years and childcare settings, including childminders, after-school clubs and nannies. 

You can also use people in your support bubble or people in your childcare bubble to help out.

A childcare bubble is where someone in one household provides informal (unpaid and unregistered) childcare to a child aged 13 or under in another household.

For any given childcare bubble, this must always be between the same 2 households.

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You can still have plumbers and tradespeople come into your home to do work[/caption]

Can I have a plumber around to fix my boiler?

Yes, you are allowed to have tradespeople come into your home in any tier as long as they are there for work.

But it is advised that they stick to the distancing rules and wear masks.

Can I car share?

In most cases it is advised against, as it can be difficult to socially distance in cars.

In Tier 2 and 3 you should avoid sharing a car with anyone not in your household or support bubble.

Can I still go on holiday?

You can, but the rules vary depending on which tier you are living in.

If you are already on holiday when rules change in your home town, you do not need to come home and can carry on your trip worry free.

Those in Tier 1 can still go on holiday with a group of up to six people from six households and stay together, as long as they practice distancing.

Those in Tier 2 can only go on holiday and stay with those in their household or support bubble. You can stay in a hotel with people outside your household but you shouldn’t share rooms and should be outside when mixing with them.

Those in Tier 3 can only go away with their household or bubble, but have been encouraged not to travel out of their area.

Can I go on holiday to Wales or Scotland?

You can certainly try, but as Wales has brought in fines for anyone crossing the border from a coronavirus hotspot, and Scotland has suggested it may follow suit, it is probably wise to stick to holidays in England for now.

Those in Tier 3 areas are advised to stay in those regions and not travel outside the area.

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You can still go on holiday but who you can go with depends on your tier[/caption]

Should I use public transport?

You can still use public transport whatever tier you are living in – and you must wear a face mask.

However the Government continues to encourage people to reduce the number of journeys made where possible.

Instead they suggest walking or cycling if you can and avoid busy travel times to keep distancing in place.

Those in Tier 3 are encouraged not to travel outside their area if possible. They are advised not to stay overnight in another area, and people from other areas are advised against overnight stays in Tier 3 spots.

Should I be working from home or in the office? 

You should be working from home where possible across all tiers.

However if you cannot do your job from home or your workplace has been made Covid-safe then you can go to the office or place of work.

But everyone should stick to social distancing, wear masks where appropriate and keep washing their hands.

I live in Manchester – can I go and visit my sister in London?

No. Manchester is now in the strictest level of lockdown – and all travel in and out of the area is strongly discouraged, unless it’s for some very important reasons.

Basically, all non-essential travel is banned.

Of course, it would also contravene London’s new rules prohibiting households from mixing.