English residents will be subject to new tiered coronavirus restrictions from Wednesday, December 2. Overall, 55 million people in England will enter into the highest two tiers after the second lockdown ends. The rules for hospitality businesses, including pubs, will depend upon which tier each region is placed in. But can you drink outside a pub in Tier 2?
MPs have now voted in support for the revised tier system which will replace the current national lockdown.
The current lockdown will end in England on December 2, with the tiered restrictions coming into force from 12.01am on Wednesday.
The vast majority (55m) of English residents will be placed into high and very high tiers: 23m in Tier 3 and 32m in Tier 2.
This leaves just 700,000 in Tier 1.
READ MORE: Coronavirus POLL: Should those who refuse vaccine be banned?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced the prospect of a Tory rebellion, but with the Labour Party and SNP vowing to abstain, the tier system was expected to pass.
The new tiered system of coronavirus restrictions was voted through with a sizeable majority of 213 votes.
In total, the system was approved by 291 votes against 78.
The Labour Party and the SNP decided to abstain from the vote on Tuesday, meaning the Prime Minister was never in any real danger of losing the vote.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “I beg to move that these Regulations now be approved.
“And I want to begin by telling the House that I was hugely encouraged by a visit I paid only yesterday to a vaccine plant in North Wales, where I saw for myself the vials of one of seven vaccines backed by the UK Government that could turn the tide of our struggle against Covid, not just in this country but around the world.
“It is the protection of those vaccines that could get our economies moving again and allow us to reclaim our lives.”
He added: “So we can’t simply allow the current restrictions to expire for the reason he gives with no replacement whatever.
“With the spread of the epidemic varying across the country, there remains a compelling case for regional tiers in England and indeed Mr Speaker a compelling necessity for regional tiers.
“But I hope the House is clear what I am not asking for today.
“This is not another lockdown, nor is this the renewal of the existing measures in England.”
DON’T MISS Can you meet friends for a drink in tier 2? [INSIGHT] Coronavirus pub crackdown: Police to stop punters crossing counties [EXPLAINER] Can pubs open on Christmas Day? [VIDEO]
Can you drink outside a pub in Tier 2?
In Tier 2 areas, pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants.
Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals.
This means unless a pub is serving food on Christmas Day, it will not be permitted to open for customers.
Last orders will be at 10pm with a closing time of 11pm for all venues.
However, like tier 3 regions, pubs are able to open for drinks off the premises through delivery, click-and-collect or drive-through services.
In Tier 2 venues, only people of the same household can visit and they must receive table service only.
The rule of six applies for outdoor pub settings, meaning only six members of different households can come together.
However, outside pub areas still must have a “substantial meal” if they wish to frequent a pub.
A Government official has warned that pub-goers in Tier 2 must leave after finishing their “substantial meal”.
He stated there should be “no lingering”, and visitors must leave “once their meal is finished”.
The Local Government Association (LGA) has also said that a “two-hour turnaround” is the “maximum amount of time” needed for “a meal of multiple courses”.
Prev
Next
1 of 798
instant= new adsenseLoader( '#quads-ad2-place', {
onLoad: function( ad ){
if (ad.classList.contains("quads-ll")) {
ad.classList.remove("quads-ll");
}
}
});
READ MORE: Boris suffers BIGGEST rebellion as PM over new Covid tier system
Which areas will be in Tier 2 from December 2?
In total, 57 percent of England will go into Tier 2 once the second national lockdown comes to an end.
The following areas will be in Tier 2:
East of England
Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes
Cambridgeshire, including Peterborough
Essex, Thurrock and Southend on Sea
Hertfordshire
Norfolk
Suffolk
East Midlands
London
All 32 boroughs plus the City of London
North West
Cumbria
Liverpool City Region
Warrington and Cheshire
South East
Bracknell Forest
Brighton and Hove
Buckinghamshire
East Sussex
Hampshire, including Portsmouth and Southampton
Oxfordshire
Reading
Surrey
West Berkshire
West Sussex
Windsor and Maidenhead
Wokingham
South West
Bath and North East Somerset
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Devon, including Plymouth and Torbay
Dorset
Gloucestershire (Cheltenham, Cotswold, Forest of Dean, Gloucester, Stroud and Tewkesbury)
Somerset (South Somerset, Somerset West and Taunton, Mendip and Sedgemoor)
Wiltshire and Swindon
West Midlands
Herefordshire
Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin
Worcestershire
Yorkshire
City of York
North Yorkshire.
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our ????️????️Twitter, & Facebook
