What does being in Tier 2 mean for Christmas after Matt Hancock announcement?

MATT Hancock has announced which parts of England will be placed under Tier 2 restrictions from December 2.

The Health Secretary confirmed the 'high level' measures will be eased over Christmas – here's what you need to know.

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What are the rules for Tier 2 over Christmas?

Up to three households in Tier 2 will be able to meet inside over a period of five days over Christmas.

Social distancing and travel rules will be scrapped from December 23 to 27 -meaning families will be able to hug those in their bubble and stay overnight.

Cops won't be expected to patrol to enforce the new rules – but will step in if people break them by hosting huge gatherings and hold parties.

Which areas are in Tier 2?

The following areas will go into Tier 2 from December 3:

North West

  • Cumbria
  • Liverpool City Region
  • Warrington and Cheshire

Yorkshire

  • York
  • North Yorkshire

West Midlands

  • Worcestershire
  • Herefordshire
  • Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin

East Midlands

  • Rutland
  • Northamptonshire

East of England

  • Suffolk
  • Hertfordshire
  • Cambridgeshire, including Peterborough
  • Norfolk
  • Essex, Thurrock and Southend on Sea
  • Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes

London

  • all 32 boroughs plus the City of London

South East

  • East Sussex
  • West Sussex
  • Brighton and Hove
  • Surrey
  • Reading
  • Wokingham
  • Bracknell Forest
  • Windsor and Maidenhead
  • West Berkshire
  • Hampshire (except the Isle of Wight), Portsmouth and Southampton
  • Buckinghamshire
  • Oxfordshire

South West

  • South Somerset, Somerset West and Taunton, Mendip and Sedgemoor
  • Bath and North East Somerset
  • Dorset
  • Bournemouth
  • Christchurch
  • Poole
  • Gloucestershire
  • Wiltshire and Swindon
  • Devon

What are the rules for Tier 2 for December?

The rules will be stricter for the rest of December as follows:

  • Households in Tier 2 are not allowed to mix indoors but can mix outdoors in groups of up to six
  • Pubs can stay open if they are able to serve a 'substantial meal' with drinks
  • Last orders will be given at 10pm but pubs can stay open until 11pm.
  • Schools, gyms and places of worship can remain open.
  • Live events can go ahead but will be limited to half of their capacity.

Can I go to the pub?

Yes. You can go to the pub if you live in a Tier 2 area.

Tier 2 allow pubs and restaurants to remain open, but they must serve a substantial meal.

Different households can only mix outside at the pub and only then in groups of up to six.

You will also be asked to give your last orders at 10pm and all pubs must close by 11pm.

Can I travel to see my family?

If you live in a Tier 2 area you can continue to travel to venues or amenities which are open, but should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible.

You must also continue to follow Tier 2 rules when you travel to a Tier 1 area.

People in Tier 2 must avoid travel to or overnight stays in Tier 3 areas other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities.

You can, however, travel through a Tier 3 area as a part of a longer journey.

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