Back in Tiers: Covid-19 Update 2nd December

As of today Wednesday the 2nd December, the UK can relax a little as we emerge out of our second national lockdown after just under a month of harsh restrictions. However, the UK now finds itself back in the tier system that was introduced just before the second lockdown.

The majority of the UK falls into the tier 3 category which is ‘Very High Alert’, including all of the West and South Yorkshire areas, with only three locations finding themselves in the top tier.

With the previous lockdown and the new tier system in effect, hopefully this will be a solid foundation to having a more ‘normal’ Christmas this year. In turn, this will provide extra safety around the 5-day visiting window amongst three households from the 23rd to the 27th December, including for the returning home of university students during the festive period.

The tier system, as we have previously seen is constantly updating and changing, which ensures all areas are being met with the appropriate amount of laws to keep everyone in the area safe, with as much freedom as possible. This is based off five figures in this area, which determines what the appropriate tier is.

These are:

• The amount of NHS Covid-19 support available and predicted for that area

• Case detection rates in all age groups

• Case detection rates in the over-60s

• The rate of rises and falls in cases

• The rate of positive tests as a percentage of all taken tests

As a tier 3 community, here is what life will look like for us while in this group. There will be no indoor social meeting, including at restaurants, houses or private gardens. The rule of six applies in parks and outdoor venues as well as during organised outdoor sports events. Necessary travel work and education is permitted however must continue to abide by the tier laws in the area you are from, even when traveling to a different area.

Support and childcare bubbles are still in place allowing vulnerable people more comfort in this time. Unessential businesses such as restaurants can also open back up for click and collect, takeaway and delivery services. Social distancing must still be observed in all these instances. Spot fines of £200 can be issued for breaking the rules and businesses can face up to £10,000 fines.

Venues that must stay closed as part of tier 3 restrictions, excluding any exceptions, include: indoor entertainment (including play centres, casinos, bingo halls, bowling alleys, skating rinks, amusement arcades and snooker halls), tourist venues, hotels, B&Bs, campsites, guesthouses, indoor attractions at outdoor venues such as theme parks.

These changes will be in place until the government confirms otherwise however may be subject to change as the countries cases rise and fall. This could happen sooner rather than later because of the new vaccine set to be mass tested over the next few weeks.

There will also be changes to the NHS COVID-19 app will be updated on 2nd December.