When the current lockdown ends on the 2nd December, Stone – along with the rest of Staffordshire – will move into the new Tier 3 for Covid restrictions.
The government have published details on their website of which Tier each postcode is included within – https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-local-restrictions
There are currently 3 tiers in operation in England – Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different grading structures:
- Tier 1 – Medium Alert
- Tier 2 – High Alert
- Tier 3 – Very High Alert
Each tier has a number of restrictions on what you can and can’t do, both as an individual and business owner – here’s a summary of how they will affect us all.
The move to Tier 3 will be seen as a blow to Stone’s hospitality industry which will now not be able to open for people to come in to eat and drink. Takeaway, drive through and delivery are the only sales mechanisms available to them under Tier 3.
Tier 3 Very High Alert
- MEETING FRIENDS AND FAMILY – No mixing of households indoors, or most outdoor places, apart from support bubbles. Maximum of six in some outdoor public spaces (e.g. parks, public gardens).
- BARS, PUBS AND RESTAURANTS – Hospitality is closed, with the exception of sales by takeaway, drive-through or delivery.
- RETAIL – Essential and Non-Essential Shops can open
- WORK AND BUSINESS – Everyone who can work from home should do so.
- EDUCATION – Early years settings, schools, colleges and universities open. Childcare, other supervised activities for children, and childcare bubbles permitted.
- INDOOR LEISURE – Open. Group activities and classes should not take place.
- ACCOMMODATION – Closed (with limited exceptions)
- PERSONAL CARE – Open
- OVERNIGHT STAYS – The government advises against overnight stays other than with household or support bubble.
- WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS – 15 guests for weddings, civil partnerships and wakes; 30 for funerals. Wedding receptions not permitted.
- ENTERTAINMENT – Indoor venues closed.
- PLACES OF WORSHIP – Open, but cannot interact with anyone outside household or support bubble.
- TRAVELLING – Avoid travelling outside your area, other than where necessary such as for work or education. Further exemptions apply. Reduce the number of journeys where possible. Plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport. Avoid car sharing with those outside of your household or support bubble.
- EXERCISE – Classes and organised adult sport can take place outdoors, but people should avoid higher-risk contact activity. Group exercise activities and sports indoors should not take place, unless with your household or bubble. Organised activities for elite athletes, under-18s and disabled people can continue.
- RESIDENTIAL CARE – COVID-secure arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods, and window visits. Outdoor/airtight visits only (rollout of rapid testing will enable indoor visits including contact).
- LARGE EVENTS – Events should not take place. Drive-in events permitted.
We will be in this tier for at least 14 days, after which a review will take place and hopefully if things are going well we can move to a lower tier.
For more information and detailed guidance please visit the dedicated government website at gov.uk/coronavirus
Remember, ‘Hands. Face. Space’:
- hands – wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds
- face – wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet
- space – stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings)
