What is Tier 2 lockdown? Covid restrictions explained, and areas the rules will affect under new system

Boris Johnson is set to announce a new three-tier lockdown system today, in bid to curb the rapidly rising coronavirus cases across England.

The Prime Minister will set out his three-tier strategy in a Commons statement on Monday, with areas in England labelled as medium, high or very high risk, which will inform the “appropriate interventions” needed in each area.

The worst affected areas of the country will be in tier three, where pubs and restaurants are expected to be ordered to close.

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This is expeted to cover large parts of the North East and North West, while much of the South will be in tier one, which will be told to continue following the Rule of Six and maintaining social distancing.

What are the tier two lockdown rules?

Pubs and restaurants are thought to be allowed to remain open in the middle tier, but with tougher rules around socialising.

Here are the key rules expected:

Parts of London are likely to be included in tier two (Photo: AP) Where will be under the tier two lockdown?

It is yet to be confirmed which areas which be under which tier.

However, it is likely to include parts of London, the West Midlands, Yorkshire and the North East.

London has yet to be put under any restrictions, but recent data shows five boroughs – Richmond, Hackney, Ealing, Redbridge and Harrow – had more than 100 infections per 100,000 people in the week up to 8 October.

Birmingham is also likely to be in tier two.

‘Under control by Christmas’

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told Sky News: “The purpose of doing this is to ensure we get the virus under control so by the time that we get through to after Christmas we are in that position where it is under control.

“Indeed I hope it will be sooner than that.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the measures are to help bring the virus under control by Christmas (Photo: Reuters) Strict restrictions in Liverpool

In a statement, seven local leaders from Merseyside, including Metro mayor Steve Rotheram and Liverpool City mayor Joe Anderson, said they had been told pubs, bars, betting shops, casinos, adult gaming centres and gyms would all have to close.

They said that they had made clear the support on offer – including the job support scheme announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak for the Government to pay up to two thirds of the salaries of staff in businesses ordered to close – was inadequate.

Mr Rotheram said there was little they could do to challenge the decision, but that discussions had been continuing through the night on an improved support package.

“We were told we were going into tier three, no ifs, no buts. We can either expend energy on that or we can try and get a better deal,” he told the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

“Some people like to shout at the wind but if they can’t change the direction of the wind it is important to shield people from its effects.”