As you will know, Greater Manchester has now been placed into tier 4.
More than three-quarters of the country has now been placed under the toughest restrictions after numbers of cases once again began to rise.
Restrictions of the new tier are the same as that under lockdown. The rules will stay in place for at least the next two weeks, with the next tier review taking place on 13 January and any changes coming into place on 16 January.
Meeting others
As before, you cannot meet people indoors or in private gardens unless you live with them or they are part of your support bubble.
You can meet one other person in public outdoor areas for example parks, countryside, forests and public gardens.
Travel
Under tier 4, people have been told to stay at home unless there is a reasonable excuse to leave the house.
‘Reasonable excuses’ include going to work, going shopping for food or other essentials, education, childcare, exercise and caring for others.
Businesses and venues
Under tier 4 restrictions, non-essential shops, personal care, and leisure and entertainment venues must close.
Restaurants and pubs must stay closed in tier 4 and can only operate takeaway and delivery services.
Collecting orders from non-essential retail shops and collecting a takeaway order does constitute a reasonable excuse to leave the home.
Essential retail such as food shops, supermarkets, pharmacies, garden centres and off-licences can stay open. Market stalls selling essential retail can also stay open as well as outdoor playgrounds, gyms, pools and sports facilities can also stay open.
Fines
Those who break the rules can be given a Fixed Penalty Notice of £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400.
For anyone who holds, or is involved in holding, an illegal gathering of over 30 people, the police can issue fines of £10,000.
For the full list of restrictions and venues that have to close, visit gov.uk.
