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West Berkshire to move into Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions




Changes follow sharp rise in cases

West Berkshire will be moved into Tier 3 (very high alert) coronavirus restrictions this weekend.

The higher restrictions follow a rapid rise in cases in the last week, and all of Berkshire will be placed under Tier 3 restrictions.

Previously, Slough had been the only area of Berkshire in Tier 3, with the remaining five local authorities in Tier 2.

Health secretary Matt Hancock confirmed in parliament this morning that the highest band of restriction will come into force in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Peterborough, the whole of Hertfordshire, and Surrey (with the exception of Waverly).

Also going into Tier 3 will be Hastings and Rother on the Kent border of East Sussex. Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant in Hampshire will also move into Tier 3.

Bristol and North Somerset will move from Tier 3 to 2, and Herefordshire will go from Tier 2 to Tier 1.

The changes will take effect from 12.01am on Saturday, December 19.

The Government is still planning to relax restrictions from December 23 to 27, when Christmas bubbles can be formed with up to three households and travel between different tiers is allowed.

In Tier 3:

  • you must not meet socially indoors or in most outdoor places with anybody you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble, this includes in any private garden or at most outdoor venues
  • you must not socialise in a group of more than six in some other outdoor public spaces, including parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the public, a public garden, grounds of a heritage site or castle, or a sports facility – this is called the ‘rule of 6’
  • hospitality settings, such as bars (including shisha venues), pubs, cafes and restaurants are closed – they are permitted to continue sales by takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services.
  • accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, and guest houses must close. There are several exemptions, such as for those who use these venues as their main residence, and those requiring the venues where it is reasonably necessary for work or education and training

indoor entertainment and tourist venues must close. This includes:

indoor play centres and areas, including trampolining parks and soft play
casinos
bingo halls
bowling alleys
skating rinks
amusement arcades and adult gaming centres
laser quests and escape rooms
cinemas, theatres and concert halls
snooker halls

  • indoor attractions at mostly outdoor entertainment venues must also close (indoor shops, through-ways and public toilets at such attractions can remain open).

This includes indoor attractions within:

zoos, safari parks, and wildlife reserves
aquariums, visitor attractions at farms, and other animal attractions
model villages
museums, galleries and sculpture parks
botanical gardens, biomes or greenhouses
theme parks, circuses, fairgrounds and funfairs
visitor attractions at film studios, heritage sites such as castles and stately homes
landmarks including observation decks and viewing platforms

  • leisure and sports facilities may continue to stay open, but group exercise classes (including fitness and dance) should not go ahead.
  • there should be no public attendance at spectator sport or indoor performances and large business events should not be taking place.Elite sport events may continue to take place without spectators
  • large outdoor events (performances and shows) should not take place, with the exception of drive-in events
    places of worship remain open, but you must not attend with or socialise with anyone outside of your household or support bubble while you are there, unless a legal exemption applies
  • weddingsandfuneralscan go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees – 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions are not allowed, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies, 15 people can attend linked commemorative events
  • organised outdoor sport, and physical activity and exercise classes can continue, however higher-risk contact activity should not take place
  • organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes cannot take place indoors. There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s
  • you can continue to travel to venues or amenities which are open, but should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible

avoid travelling outside of your area, including for overnight stays other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities. You can travel through other areas as part of a longer journey



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