PORTSMOUTH: TIER 2 INFORMATION

Yesterday we were informed that Portsmouth will be in 'Tier 2' and at High Alert. Here is the information that you need to know.

Why the government is introducing tiers

It is right to apply tighter restrictions where prevalence is highest. In September and October, the virus spread rapidly in all parts of the country. The government responded with new national restrictions. These have brought transmission back under control.

The government will replace them on 2 December with a regionally-differentiated approach, where different tiers of restrictions apply in different parts of the country.

These tiers will be strengthened compared to the previous tiers in order to prevent a return to growing infections. We know that social contact spreads the virus. We need to impose these restrictions and it is right to target the toughest measures only in the areas where the virus is most prevalent or where we are seeing sharper increases in the rate of infection.

The government is committed to ensuring the right levels of intervention in the right places to manage outbreaks, suppress the virus and keep R below 1.

There are 3 tiers for local restrictions:

• Tier 1: Medium alert

• Tier 2: High alert

• Tier 3: Very High alert

Tier 2: High alert (Portsmouth)

This is for areas with a higher or rapidly rising level of infections, where some additional restrictions need to be in place.

In tier 2:

• you must not socialise with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place

• you must not socialise in a group of more than 6 people outside, including in a garden or a public space – this is called the ‘rule of 6’

• businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a COVID-Secure manner, other than those which remain closed by law, such as nightclubs

• pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals

• hospitality businesses selling food or drink for consumption on their premises are required to:
  

  • provide table service only, in premises which sell alcohol

  • close between 11pm and 5am (hospitality venues in airports, ports, transport services and motorway service areas are exempt)

  • stop taking orders after 10pm

• hospitality businesses and venues selling food and drink for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through

• early closure (11pm) applies to casinos, cinemas, theatres, museums, bowling alleys, amusement arcades, funfairs, theme parks, adventure parks and activities, and bingo halls. Cinemas, theatres and concert halls can stay open beyond 11pm in order to conclude performances that start before 10pm

• public attendance at outdoor and indoor events (performances and shows) is permitted, limited to whichever is lower: 50% capacity, or either 2,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors

• public attendance at spectator sport and business events can resume inside and outside, subject to social contact rules and limited to whichever is lower: 50% capacity, or either 2,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors

• places of worship remain open but you must not socialise with people from outside of your household or support bubble while you are indoors there, unless a legal exemption applies

• weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on numbers of attendees – 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies and receptions, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies, and 15 people can attend linked commemorative events such as wakes or stonesettings.

• organised outdoor sport, and physical activity and exercise classes can continue

• organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes will only be permitted if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with (or share a support bubble with). There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s, which can take place with larger groups mixing

• 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

• if you live in a tier 2 area, you must continue to follow tier 2 rules when you travel to a tier 1 area. 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 travel through a tier 3 area as a part of a longer journey

• for international travel see the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice for your destination and the travel corridors list

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)