Altrincham will move into Tier 3 restrictions from this Friday after Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed this afternoon that Greater Manchester would follow Lancashire and Liverpool in adopting the “very high” alert level measures.
But what does that actually mean? Here are the key restrictions that will now come into force:
Meeting with family and friends
You must not meet socially with friends and family indoors in any setting unless they are part of your household or support bubble. This includes private homes and indoors in hospitality venues, such as pubs. You must also not meet with people outside of your household or support bubble in a private garden or in most outdoor public venues.
You may continue to see friends and family you do not live with (or have formed a support bubble with) in groups of 6 or less in certain outdoor public spaces, such as:
- parks, beaches, countryside, forests
- public gardens (whether or not you pay to enter them), allotments
- outdoor sports courts and facilities, and playgrounds
Meeting in larger groups is against the law. The police can take action against you if you meet in larger groups. This includes breaking up illegal gatherings and issuing fines of £200 for a first offence, rising to a maximum of £6,400
Pubs and bars
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; they may only serve alcohol as part of such a meal.
Going to work
To help contain the virus, office workers who can work effectively from home should do so over the winter. Where an employer, in consultation with their employee, judges an employee can carry out their normal duties from home they should do so.
Public sector employees working in essential services, including education settings, should continue to go into work where necessary.
Anyone else who cannot work from home should go to their place of work.
Travel
People should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK if they are resident in a ‘very high’ area, or avoid staying overnight in a ‘very high’ area if they are resident elsewhere
Weddings and funerals
Up to 15 guests are allowed for weddings and up to 30 guests for funerals. 15 are allowed for wakes and related ceremonies. Wedding receptions are not allowed.
Churches
You can attend places of worship for a service if you’re in a very high alert level area. However, you must not mingle with anyone outside of your household or support bubble.
Sport and physical activity
You can take part in organised outdoor sport and physical activity, including exercise classes, in any number, provided this follows the relevant guidance.
Moving home
You can still move home if you’re in a very high alert level area.
Estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to work and people looking to move home can continue to undertake viewings.
Here’s the full list of Tier 3 restrictions on the government website
