Government announce a Three Tiered System of COVID Alert Levels
On the 12th October , the Prime Minister announced how the government will further simplify and standardise local rules by introducing a three tiered system of local COVID Alert Levels in England.
He set out how this new approach will be simpler and standardised, and thanked local leaders who have engaged with the government over the weekend.
The “medium” alert level – which will cover most of the country – will consist of the current national measures, which came into force on 25 September. This includes the Rule of Six, and the closure of hospitality at 10pm.
The “high” alert level will reflect many current local interventions, but there will now be consistency across the country.
This primarily aims to reduce household to household transmission by preventing all mixing between households or support bubbles indoors. The Rule of Six will apply in outdoor spaces, including private gardens. Most areas which are already subject to local restrictions will automatically move into the “high” alert level.
The “very high” alert level will apply where transmission rates are causing the greatest concern, based on an assessment of all the available data and the local situation. This includes incidence and test positivity, including amongst older and more at-risk age groups, as well as the growth rate, hospital admissions and other factors.
In these areas, the government will set a baseline of prohibiting social mixing indoors and in private gardens, with the Rule of Six allowed in open public spaces like parks and beaches.
Pubs and bars must close, and can only remain open where they operate as if they were a restaurant – which means serving substantial meals, like a main lunchtime or evening meal. They may only serve alcohol as part of such a meal. People will be advised not to travel in and out of these areas. To create local consensus behind this more severe action, the government will work with local leaders on how individual areas should go beyond this baseline, which may include measures such as the closure of gyms, casinos, and leisure centres.
Non-essential retail, schools and universities will remain open in all levels.
Cases are rising rapidly across the country, particularly in the North East and North West, and this is resulting in increased hospitalisations and deaths.
The Prime Minster said that further action is required now to suppress the virus and make sure the NHS isn’t overwhelmed, and can continue providing essential services such as cancer care.
As the Prime Minister said, in recent months, local outbreaks have been tackled with targeted restrictions – helping save lives and avoiding the need to apply those measures nationally.
However, over time this has led to different rules in different parts of the country, with some rules becoming increasingly complex and difficult to enforce.
A postcode checker on GOV.UK shows which alert level applies in each area and the NHS COVID-19 app will also direct people to this information.
These measures will be kept under constant review, including a four-week sunset clause for interventions in “very high” areas.
Local COVID alert levels set out information for local authorities, residents and workers about what to do and how to manage the outbreak in their area. Local COVID alert levels are sometimes called ‘tiers’ or known as a ‘local lockdown’. Check the local COVID alert level of your local area to see which level applies to you.
Local COVID alert level: medium
This is for areas where national restrictions continue to be in place.
This means:
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you must not socialise in groups larger than 6, indoors or outdoors (other than where a legal exemption applies)
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businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a COVID-secure manner, other than those that remain closed in law
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certain businesses are required to ensure customers only consume food and drink while seated, and must close between 10pm and 5am
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businesses and venues selling food 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
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schools and universities remain open
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places of worship remain open, subject to the rule of 6
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weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on numbers of attendees
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exercise classes and organised sport can continue to take place outdoors, or indoors if the rule of 6 is followed
You must:
You should continue to:
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follow social distancing rules
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work from home where you can effectively do so
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when travelling, plan ahead or avoid busy times and routes; walk or cycle if you can
Find out more about the measures that apply in medium alert level areas to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Local COVID alert level: high
This is for areas with a higher level of infections where some additional restrictions are in place.
This means on top of restrictions in alert level medium:
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you must not socialise with anybody outside of your household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place
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you must not socialise in a group of more than 6 outside, including in a garden or other spaces like beaches or parks (other than where specific exemptions apply in law)
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businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a COVID-secure manner, other than those that remain closed in law
-
certain businesses are required to ensure customers only consume food and drink while seated, and must close between 10pm and 5am
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businesses and venues selling food 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
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schools, universities and places of worship remain open
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weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees
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exercise classes and organised sport can continue to take place outdoors; these will only be permitted indoors if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with or share a support bubble with, or for youth or disability sport
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you can continue to travel to venues or amenities that are open, for work or to access education, but should look to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible
You must:
You should continue to:
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follow social distancing rules
-
work from home where you can effectively do so
-
walk or cycle where possible, or plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport
Find out more about the measures that apply in high alert level areas to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Local COVID alert level: very high
This is for areas with a very high level of infections and where tighter restrictions are in place. The restrictions placed on areas with a very high level of infections can vary, and are based on discussions between central and local government. You should therefore check the specific rules in your area.
At a minimum, this means:
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you must not socialise with anybody you do not live with or have formed a support bubble with, in any indoor setting or in any private garden or at most outdoor hospitality venues and ticketed events
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you must not socialise in a group of more than 6 in an outdoor public space such as a park or beach, the countryside, a public garden or a sports venue
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pubs and bars must close; they can only remain open where they operate as if they were a restaurant, which means serving substantial meals, like a main lunchtime or evening meal, and they may only serve alcohol as part of such a meal
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schools and universities remain open
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places of worship remain open, but household mixing is not permitted
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weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees; however, wedding receptions are not allowed
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exercise classes and organised sport can continue to take place outdoors; these will only be permitted indoors if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with (or share a support bubble with), or for youth or disability sport
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you should try to avoid travelling outside the very high alert level area you are in or entering a very high alert level area, other than for things like work, education or youth services, to meet caring responsibilities or if you are travelling through as part of a longer journey
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you should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK if you are resident in a very high alert level area, or avoid staying overnight in a very high alert level area if you are resident elsewhere
You must:
You should continue to:
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follow social distancing rules
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work from home where you can effectively do so
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travel to venues or amenities that are open, for work or to access education, but aim to reduce the number of journeys you make
This is the baseline in very high alert level areas. The government will also seek to agree additional interventions in consultation with local authorities, in order to reduce the spread of the virus. These could include the following options:
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restrictions preventing the sale of alcohol in hospitality or closing all hospitality (except takeaway and delivery)
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closing indoor and outdoor entertainment venues and tourist attractions
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closing venues such as leisure centres and gyms (while ensuring provision remains available for elite athletes, youth and disabled sport and physical activity)
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closing public buildings, such as libraries and community centres (while ensuring provision remains available for youth and childcare activities and support groups)
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closing personal care and close contact services or prohibiting the highest-risk activities
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closing performing arts venues for the purposes of performing to audiences