What is Tier 2 lockdown? Here's what new rules mean for people in South Yorkshire

South Yorkshire has been placed into Tier 2 of the Government’s new coronavirus lockdown restrictions – so what do the new rules mean for people living here?
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Three levels have been established to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 – very high (tier 3), high (tier 2) and medium (tier 1).

South Yorkshire is expected to be confirmed in Tier 2 later tonight.

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Here’s what we know so far about the new rules that will apply.

South Yorkshire is under new coronavirus lockdown rules.South Yorkshire is under new coronavirus lockdown rules.
South Yorkshire is under new coronavirus lockdown rules.

The rules will be introduced from Wednesday.

The new stricter controls include a ban on different households mixing indoors, including in hospitality venues. An exemption will exist for paid childcare for under-14s.

Households can mix outdoors but must adhere to the rule of six and social distancing.

Residents ‘must minimise travel’ but can still travel for education, work and to go on holiday.

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Travel within the UK is allowed as long as local restrictions in those places are obeyed.

People will also be allowed to leave the county and local authority area but cannot travel to another county to mix with households there.

The hospitality sector ‘will remain open’ and there will be increased financial support and increased support for test and trace in South Yorkshire.

In Tier 3, which includes the Liverpool city region, all household mixing has been banned and pubs, bars, gyms, leisure centres, betting shops, casinos and adult gaming centres will close from Wednesday.

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The tier system will reportedly be determined by the rate of infection, although the rate of increase could be an important factor, as well as total number of cases.

Various reports suggest the infection rate for tier 1, which would have the least restrictions, could be less than 100 cases per 100,000 people of the population.

In tier 1, residents could expect restrictions to mirror the current national measures in place including the rule of six, that is, no more than six people permitted to gather together indoors or outdoors.

In this tier, wedding and civil partnership ceremonies and services could have up to 15 attendees, while funerals are likely to be able to have 30 attendees only.

Organised sport would only be allowed outdoors.

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In tier 2, weddings may be permitted to have 15 attendees but receptions may be banned, while funerals could have their attendance capped at 15 attendees.

However, places of worship will remain open and there are currently reportedly no plans to close schools in any of the tiers.

In tier 1, it is expected all sectors which are permitted to open by law can remain so providing they meet Covid-19 secure guidance.

Face coverings and/or screens for all workers in indoor hospitality, and customers apart from when seated, will be mandatory.

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The curfews on business operating hours would remain with leisure and entertainment venues to be closed between 10pm and 5am. Food and drink venues would continue to be table service only.

The government’s advice on working from home where possible would continue.