When does Bristol go into tier 2? Why the city was moved from tier 3 Covid rules in today’s anouncement
Bristol #Bristol
London and large areas of the south east were plunged into tier three this week, leaving many hospitality venues forced to close just weeks after they were able to reopen.
Those living in the rest of England are now waiting to find out whether their tier will change in the Government’s announcement on Thursday.
But will Bristol be among the tier three areas that could be moved down into tier two Here’s everything you need to know.
Will Bristol be moved down to tier 2?
The short answer is yes, and it is the only place in England to be moved from tier 3 to tier 2.
Bristol has spent the past few weeks in tier three, which has seen all hospitality and indoor entertainment closed.
The infection rates in Bristol and the surrounding areas of South Gloucestershire and North Somerset are now all below the national average, giving some hope that the tier level might change before Christmas.
Bristol currently has a rate of 115.2 per 100,000, significantly lower than the national average of 194.
Matt Hancock announced on Thursday that it would be moved into tier 2.
The changes will come into effect from Saturday 19 December.
The rules will only be in place for four days before they’re relaxed nationwide over Christmas.
But, the restrictions will return from 28 December, after the five-day relaxation period ends.
When will the tiers be reviewed?
Tier allocations are to be reviewed every 14 days, but changes can be made more frequently than that.
When the tiers were first brought in, the Government confirmed that any changes would be discussed on Wednesday 16 December, and the results were announced on Thursday morning.
How are the tiers decided?
Decisions on tier levels are based on a number of factors, including case detection rates in all age groups and in particular among the over 60s, according to the Department of Health.
How quickly case rates are rising or falling is also taken into account, as is local pressure on the NHS, including current and projected capacity.
Positivity in the general population, local context, and exceptional circumstances such as a local but contained outbreak, will also be taken into account.
If these factors improve an area can be moved down a tier, if they get worse then it could be moved up.
The final decision is made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the Covid Operations Committee, the Government said.
Where is in each tier? Tier 1: Medium alert South East South West
West Midlands
Tier 2: High alert North West
Yorkshire West Midlands
East Midlands East of England
South East
South West
Tier 3: Very High alert North East
North West
Yorkshire and The Humber
West Midlands
East Midlands
East of England
Essex:
London
South East
South West