Today (17 December 2020), Health Secretary Matt Hancock has addressed the Commons to announce the latest changes to the tiered system.
Following a review of coronavirus cases, Herefordshire will now be moved from tier 2 down into tier 1. Bristol and North Somerset are the only other areas to change tiers, moving down from tier 3 into tier 2. The changes will come into effect from 00:01 on Saturday 19 December 2020.
Worcestershire remains in tier 2.
With cases rising by 46% in the south-east of England and two-thirds in the east of England, a number of places have been moved from tier 2 up into tier 3:
- Bedfordshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Berkshire
- Peterborough
- Hertfordshire
- Surrey (with the exception of Waverley)
- Hastings and Rother
- Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant
Commenting on the revised tiered Coronavirus restrictions that will come into effect on 19 December, BCC Co-Executive Director Hannah Essex said:
“More areas entering, or remaining in, Tier 3 means more disappointment for our business communities, who are already suffering from reduced demand and cashflow. The vaccine programme is undoubtedly a step in the right direction. However, until it is rolled out fully, government must make improving its Test, Trace and Isolate system a priority, with a greater emphasis on mass workplace testing – particularly in Tier 3 areas – to get more business back up and running.
“Chambers are clear that government financial support must be commensurate with the impact on businesses. To avoid mass redundancies and further business failures, more support will need to be extended to firms, particularly those reliant on workers returning to town and city centres, as well as those integrated in wider supply chains.”
Useful Links
- To find out what tier your area is in, click here.
- To find out what you can and can’t do in each tier, click here.
- To find out what financial support your business can access, click here
- For the latest coronavirus business support, visit our Hub here.
- For weekly updates, support and resources just for businesses, sign up to our Coronavirus Business Support Newsletter here.
- Check how many cases there are in your area here.
Image source: UK Parliament