Many areas in England will face new restrictions from December 2, when England leaves lockdown and re-enters the three-tier system.
The ‘high alert’ classification brings strict rules on social gatherings.
The majority of England will now face second-tier restrictions, with major cities such as London and Liverpool facing tougher rules.
What are the new rules, and what fines could you incur if you break them?
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What are the tier 2 rules?
As well as the national baseline rules, such as an 11pm curfew and face coverings in public spaces, tier two sees additional bans on indoor social gatherings.
Those living in tier two areas are not allowed to meet up with people from other households indoors, including in private homes and public hospitality venues such as pubs and restaurants.
You are still allowed to meet with your support bubble, and childcare bubbles can continue.
You can meet with other households in public outdoor areas such as parks and beaches, but the rule of six and social distancing must be adhered to.
What are the fines for breaking tier 1, 2 or 3 lockdown rules?
If you are caught meeting up with people from outside your household or support bubble, you could be handed a £200 fine under UK law.
The fine for each subsequent offence would double up to a maximum of £6,400.
Those found to be holding a gathering of more than 30 people against the rules will be fined £10,000, as is the case across the country.
Additionally, Gov.uk states: ‘Businesses and venues that fail to comply with these restrictions may face fines of up to £10,000, prosecution, or in some cases closure.’
The rules are enforced by ‘Covid marshalls’ and police officers, who patrol parks, shops, train stations, and public hospitality venues to ensure that the rules are being followed.
They can hand out on the spot fines, and also disperse groups that are breaking the rules.
The fine for breaching self-isolation rules start at £1,000.
If you spot others breaking the rules, then the government encourages you to report it to the police.
What areas are in tier 2?
The full list areas going into in tier two is as follows:
- Cumbria
- Liverpool City Region
- Warrington and Cheshire
- York, North Yorkshire
- Worcestershire
- Herefordshire
- Shropshire and Telford&Wrekin
- Rutland
- Northamptonshire
- Suffolk
- Hertfordshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Norfolk
- Essex, Thurrock, and Southend on Sea
- Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes
- London – all 32 boroughs
- East Sussex
- West Sussex
- Brighton and Hove
- Surrey
- Reading
- Wokingham
- Bracknell Forest
- Windsor and Maidenhead
- West Berkshire
- Hampshire (except the Isle of WIght), Portsmouth and Southampton
- Buckinghamshire
- Oxfordshire
- South Somerset, Somerset West and Taunton, Mendip and Sedgemoor
- Bath and North East Somserset
- Dorset
- Bournemouth
- Chistchurch
- Poole
- Gloucester
- Wiltshire and Swindon
- Devon
The alert level is reviewed every 14 days and the rules and regulations are reviewed every 28 days.
You can check the tier of your area using the Government’s postcode checker.
MORE : What the Covid tiers mean and the difference between the three categories
MORE : Rules on travelling between tiers as millions face toughest restrictions
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