Many Places Will Be in Higher Tiers After UK Lockdown: Johnson

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson answers questions during a briefing on the current CCP virus pandemic in Downing Street, London, on Nov. 5, 2020. (Leon Neal/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Many places in England will be in higher tiers after the current four-week national lockdown than they were before, Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday as he announced a new three-tiered CCP virus alert system to replace the national lockdown after it ends on Dec. 2.

The new tougher three-tiered system is a part of Johnson’s “COVID winter plan” (pdf), to control the spread of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as novel coronavirus. Johnson said during a press conference that the plan is set to last until the end of March.

In tier-1 areas, where the alert level is medium, the rule of six is brought back, meaning a maximum of six people are allowed to gather indoors or outdoors, unless all are from the same household or support bubble.

Bars, pubs, and restaurants are limited to table service only, but the previous 10 p.m. curfew is extended by an hour. Venues will have to take last orders before 10 p.m. but can close up by 11 p.m.

Places of worship and gyms will open again, subject to the rule of six indoors.

Sports, live performances, and business meetings can be operated at a reduced capacity.

In tier-2 areas, where the alert level is high, no household mixing will be allowed indoors, and the rule of six applies outdoors.

Pubs and bars must close unless they operate as restaurants. Alcohol can only be served with substantial meals. In the previous three-tiered system, pubs and bars could remain open at this level.

Places of worship and gyms will be allowed to open again, but interacting with people outside of one’s own household is forbidden.

Sports, live performances, and business meetings can be operated at a reduced capacity.

In tier-3 areas, where the alert level is very high, rules are similar to those during national lockdown.

Household mixing is forbidden, and hospitality businesses will remain closed, large events are not allowed. However, retail businesses will be open, indoor leisure, places of worship can open as long as there’s no household mixing. Gym classes and organised sports can happen outdoors.

Johnson said the tiers are tougher than before because the scientific advice was that the previous tiered system was not sufficient in bring down the virus’ reproduction number.

Under the previous system, local restrictions may vary in places belonging to the same tier, as a result of consulting local authorities. This time, however, the tiers will be “a uniform set of rules,” Johnson told Parliament.

He said the government will announce later this week, possibly on Thursday, which areas will fall into which tier, based on analysis of cases in all age groups, especially the over 60s; the rate by which cases are rising or falling; the percentage of those who have tested positive in a local population; and the current projected pressures on the National Health Service.

The Department of Health and Social Care did not immediately respond to The Epoch Times’ request for comment on why more areas will need to be placed in higher tiers after a four-week national lockdown.