As residents will be aware, England will move back into a three-tiered, regional set of restrictions after the current national restrictions end on 2 December. The tiers are more restrictive than they were before, in some respects, although non-essential retail will remain open and collective worship will resume in all tiers.
Earlier today, the Department of Health and Social Care announced that Surrey will be in tier 2, or “high alert”. This means that:
- Social mixing – No socialising with anyone you don’t live with / isn’t in your support bubble in any indoor setting. No socialising in a group of more than 6 people outside.
- Hospitality – Pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals.
- Other businesses and venues – Can continue to operate, in a COVID-secure manner, other than those closed by law.
- Places of worship – Remain open, but people must not socialise with people from outside their household or support while indoors there.
- Organised outdoor sport, and physical activity and exercise classes – Can continue.
More information on what is allowed in tier 2 available here.
The tier that we are in will be reviewed every 14 days, based on five criteria – case rates in all age groups; case rates in the over 60s; the rate at which cases are rising or falling; cases as a percentage of tests taken; and pressure on the NHS.
This tiering system is a central part of the government’s COVID-19 Winter Plan, which the Prime Minister announced earlier this week.
Importantly, this plan also set out how life can begin to return closer to normal. We are making progress on mass testing, and will roll this out to 13 million people before Christmas. We have also secured access to 355 million vaccine doses, with the NHS gearing up to lead a national vaccination programme.
As these two elements – mass testing and vaccines – are rolled out through winter and into the spring, the need for the localised restrictions will gradually reduce. This offers grounds for cautious optimism, and light at the end of the tunnel.
