Health Secretary, Matt Hancock has announced today that Leicester and Leicestershire will move to Tier 4: Stay at Home from the beginning of Thursday 31 December 2020.
Tier 4 restrictions mean:
- people must not leave their home or garden unless they have a ‘reasonable excuse’ including where reasonably necessary for work, education, exercise or open air recreation and essential activities such as medical appointments and to buy food
- people must not meet socially indoors, in a private garden or most outdoor public venues with anybody they do not live with or have a support bubble with.
- Everyone who can work from home should do so
- people can see only one other person that they do not live with (or do not have a support bubble with) in certain public outdoor places – such as parks, public gardens, or outdoor sports facilities
- weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees – 6 people can attend wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions are not allowed, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies, 6 people can attend linked commemorative events
- accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, holiday lets and guest houses must close, other than where very limited exceptions apply
- hospitality settings, such as bars (including shisha bars), pubs, cafes, restaurants, and social clubs must close except for takeaway, delivery, drive-through and click and collect services. Takeaway must cease between 11pm and 5am, but delivery, drive-through and click-and-collect may continue during this period. This includes restaurants and bars within hotels or members’ clubs
- indoor entertainment venues, such as casinos, bowling alleys, and bingo halls must close. Cinemas, theatres, and concert venues must also close
- certain outdoor venues, such as botanical gardens, heritage sites, and zoos and other animal attractions may stay open, although indoor elements at these attractions must also close
- all indoor leisure and sports facilities must close except where a legal exemption exists, such as for the training of elite sportspersons
We are currently operating a reduced service for calls however, the National Business Support Helpline is open as normal until 6 pm today and tomorrow if you are a business needing advice – T: 0800 998 1098. The Business Gateway will be open as normal on Monday 4th January at 9 am.
In other news the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid19 vaccine has been approved for use in the UK with the first doses due to be given on Monday.
