What can you do in tier 3? Restrictions for areas under ‘very high’ Covid rules – and what can stay open

Most areas of England will be in tier two coronavirus restrictions when the country exits national lockdown on 2 December.

However, a “significant number” of areas face the toughest tier three curbs, bringing more hospitality closures and severe restrictions on household mixing.

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These areas include the Manchester City Council boundary, Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield and Chesterfield. The restrictions will be reviewed after a fortnight.

With the tier three rules set to govern millions of people’s lives over the coming months – except for a five-day Christmas reprieve – here’s what they mean for you.

Can I meet other households? 

No mixing of households will be allowed in any indoor setting apart from support bubbles, with a maximum gathering of six permitted outdoors – the Rule of Six.  

Groups of six will only be able to meet in outdoor public spaces, such as parks and sports courts – but not in private gardens.

Millions of people are facing tier three restrictions from 2 December (Photo: AP/Alberto Pezzali) What are the rules for restaurants and pubs?

All hospitality venues such as pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants will be closed except for takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through and delivery services. 

Can I travel between tiers?

People will be told to avoid travelling out of the area other than where necessary – such as for work, education and caring purposes – and to reduce the number of journeys. Overnight stays elsewhere in the UK should also be avoided. 

If your area is in a lower tier, you can still travel through a tier three area as part of a longer journey. 

Can I travel within this tier? 

You can continue to travel to venues or amenities in tier three areas which are open, but should “aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible”, the Government says. 

Can hairdressers and beauty salons stay open?

Yes. All retail, leisure and personal care services are able to reopen.

Are gyms and group sports allowed? 

Gyms are reopening in all tiers, but indoor exercise classes are not allowed if there is any interaction between different households. 

Classes and organised sport can take place outdoors, including grassroots team sports, but people are advised to avoid higher-risk contact activity. 

There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s, which can take place with larger groups mixing. 

Are hotels allowed to open? 

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. 

Are theatres, cinemas, casinos, soft play and attractions allowed to open? 

Indoor entertainment and tourist venues must close. This includes:

There are further business closures in tier three (Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)

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:

Are pantomimes and sport events on? 

Government guidelines state that large outdoor events, such as performances and shows, “should not take place”, with the exception of drive-in events. 

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.

Can I see my partner?

If your partner is not in your household or support bubble, you cannot meet indoors or in most outdoor spaces, including a private garden. 

You can, however, meet outdoors in parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the public, a public garden, grounds of a heritage site or castle, or a sports facility. 

Are weddings and funerals allowed?

Fifteen guests will be allowed at weddings and civil partnerships, increasing to 30 for funerals.

Are places of worship open for services? 

Places of worship can reopen, but people must not interact with anyone outside their household or support bubble.

What does this mean for Christmas?

Ministers have agreed with the devolved nations a UK-wide plan to allow three households to mix in homes, private gardens and outdoors for five days from 23 December, after which the tiered rules will return.

When are the tier restrictions being reviewed?

The new restrictions will be reviewed on 16 December, but the Prime Minister has said he hopes a vaccine could make Covid lockdowns “redundant” by the end of March.