Areas could face new Tier 4 lockdown if coronavirus infections continue to rise

A Tier 4 lockdown could see shops and restaurants also closing. This plan B system would be brought in in England by mid-November if Tier 3 restrictions were not working. Whitehall officials and local authorities are reportedly considering alternative plans if the three-tier system in England has not made a difference by mid-November. A potential plan B could include a “tier three-plus” or “tier four” which would see further restrictions brought in.

Whitehall officials and local authorities are in discussion about the additional tier.

The tier four measures could include shutting restaurants and non-essential retail such as clothes shops.

Short-term local circuit breaker lockdowns have also been discussed.

This would be in line with Boris Johnson’s desire to not impose another nation-wide lockdown.

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Different tiers of lockdown in the UK (Image: GETTY)

A coronavirus patient and medic in PPE gear (Image: GETTY)

England is currently operating under a differentiated system of tiers.

Some regions, such as Liverpool, are in the highest tier 3 lockdown.

Other areas, such as London, are in tier 2 lockdown.

Tier 2 measures prohibit the missing indoors of people from different households.

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A medic in PPE gear (Image: GETTY)

Medics in PPE gear (Image: GETTY)

In Tier 3 regions people should avoid travel where possible in and out of the area.

The only travel allowed is for work, education, or caring responsibilities.

Tier three measures include the closure of pubs and bars that do not serve food.

Also closed in Tier 3 measures are gyms, soft play centres and casinos.

Common to all regions is the 10 pm curfew for pubs and restaurants and a ban on most gatherings of more than six people.

Government officials have told local leaders in tier three regions that social contacts need to be cut by 60 percent before restrictions can be lifted.

This is the equivalent of bringing the R rate down from 1.6, as it was in England last week, to below 1.