North Lancashire to enter Tier 3 - effective from 2nd December 2020

The content in the article is up to date as of 11:38am on 26th November 2020 - but we recommend readers to check for updated information from the Government website.  You will find links to access the information contained in this story.

The Government have today set out the local Covid response tier, as the country slowly eases out of the lockdown, ending next Tuesday the 2nd December.

As of Tuesday 24th November 2020, the infection rate in Lancaster is recorded as 109.6 cases per 100,000 for the week leading up to the 20th November - which was half the average rate for England overall (217.6).

For our local communities across North Lancashire - the Government have announced tier 3 restrictions.

The current lockdown, which was introduced on the 5th November in response to a surge in infection rate nationally will revert back to a three-tier system across England from 00:01 on Wednesday the 2nd December - meaning a loosening of the current restrictions for many.

This is a different system to the tiered restrictions introduced in early Autumn, and the new tier system includes a number of more restrictive, and hopefully more effective measures in our ongoing fight against the coronavirus pandemic.  The intention is to reduce the reproductive rate of the virus (how many people someone infected pass the virus onto, sometimes called the 'R' rate) to less than 1, and then keep the rate below 1.

The new tier system is summarised below although we recommend you check the official guidance issued by the Government and Lancaster City Council for full details and any updated information that may be released.  You can get up-to-date information and a full outline of what each tier means on the Government website found here, and more specific local information from Lancaster City Council here.

Our local district will enter Tier 3 -

Tier 3: Very High alert

This is for areas with a very high or very rapidly rising level of infections, where tighter restrictions are in place.

In tier 3:

• you must not meet socially indoors or in most outdoor places with anybody you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble, this includes in any private garden or at most outdoor venues

• you must not socialise in a group of more than 6 in some other outdoor public spaces, including parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the public, a public garden, grounds of a heritage site or castle, or a sports facility – this is called the ‘rule of 6’

• hospitality settings, such as bars (including shisha venues), pubs, cafes and restaurants are closed – they are permitted to continue sales by takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services.

• 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 

• indoor entertainment and tourist venues must close. This includes:

  • indoor play centres and areas, including trampolining parks and soft play

  • casinos

  • bingo halls

  • bowling alleys

  • skating rinks

  • amusement arcades and adult gaming centres

  • laser quests and escape rooms

  • cinemas, theatres and concert halls

  • snooker halls

• 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:

  • zoos, safari parks, and wildlife reserves

  • aquariums, visitor attractions at farms, and other animal attractions

  • model villages

  • museums, galleries and sculpture parks

  • botanical gardens, biomes or greenhouses

  • theme parks, circuses, fairgrounds and funfairs

  • visitor attractions at film studios, heritage sites such as castles and stately homes

  • landmarks including observation decks and viewing platforms

• leisure and sports facilities may continue to stay open, but group exercise classes (including fitness and dance) should not go ahead. Saunas and steam rooms should close

• 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

• large outdoor events (performances and shows) should not take place, with the exception of drive-in events

• places of worship remain open, but you must not attend with or socialise with  anyone outside of your household or support bubble while you are there, unless a legal exemption applies

• weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees – 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions are not allowed, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies, 15 people can attend linked commemorative events

• organised outdoor sport, and physical activity and exercise classes can continue, however higher-risk contact activity should not take place

• organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes cannot take place indoors. There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s

• you can continue to travel to venues or amenities which are open, but should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible

• avoid travelling to other parts of the UK, including for overnight stays other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities. You can travel through other areas as part of a longer journey

• for international travel see the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice for your destination and the travel corridors list

Here's what you've had to say on our Facebook page:

The other two tiers that will come into effect elsewhere across England, or that our local direct may move into in the future are summarised as follows:

Tier 1: Medium alert

In tier 1:

• Follow the rule of six if meeting indoors or outdoors

• Pubs and restaurants to shut at 11pm

• People encouraged to minimise travel and work from home where possible

• Spectators allowed at sports events and live performances (with limited numbers)

• Personal care including hairdressing allowed

Tier 2: High alert

This is for areas with a higher or rapidly rising level of infections, where some additional restrictions need to be in place.

In tier 2:

• No household mixing indoors

• Rule of six will apply outdoors

• Pub and restaurants to shut at 11pm

• Alcohol only served as part of a substantial meal

• Spectators allowed at sports events and live performances (with limited numbers)

• Personal care including hairdressing allowed