The Prime Minister has announced England will return to a three-tier system when the national lockdown ends – however we will have to wait until Thursday to find out what tier we are in.

On December 2, England’s second national lockdown will end. The nation will then return to a three-tier system, however the rules and regulations for each tier have been revamped and made ‘tougher’.

Today, Boris Johnson revealed his ‘Winter Plan’ for combatting coronavirus as the nation awaits widespread roll-put of a vaccine.

“For the first time since this wretched virus took hold, we can see a route out of the pandemic”, Mr Johnson told the House of Commons.

“The breakthroughs in treatment, in testing and vaccines mean that the scientific cavalry is now in sight and we know in our hearts that next year we will succeed.”

He added: “We are going to go back instead to a regional tiered approach, applying the toughest measures where Covid is most prevalent.

“And while the previous local tiers did cut the R number, they were not quite enough to reduce it below one, so the scientific advice, I am afraid, is that as we come out is that our tiers need to be made tougher.”

The Winter Plan will see the rule of six will return, with variations on whether socialising can take place indoors or outdoors depending on the tier.

Tier 1 

  • People will be able to meet in groups of six indoors and outdoors
  • Venues must be table service only. The 10pm curfew will be replaced with a last orders call at 10pm, and venues must close at 11pm.
  • Spectators are set to return to sports venues next month at outdoor and indoor venues.
  • In every tier, retail and personal care – such as hairdressers and beauty salons – can reopen.
  • Indoor entertainment venues – such as cinemas, theatres, bowling alleys and casinos – will be allowed to stay open.
  • Weddings and civil partnerships can resume but with only 15 guests.
  • Places of worship can reopen.
    Tier 2 
  • Socialising with five others will only be allowed outdoors.
  • Hospitality must close unless it is operating as a restaurant, and alcohol can only be served with a substantial meal.
  • Spectators are set to return to sports venues next month at outdoor and indoor venues.
  • Indoor entertainment venues – such as cinemas, theatres, bowling alleys and casinos – will be allowed to stay open.
  • Weddings and civil partnerships can resume but with only 15 guests.
  • Places of worship can reopen in all tiers for collective worship, but in Tiers 2 and 3 people must not interact with anyone outside their household or support bubble.
    Tier 3 
  • Groups of six will only be able to meet in outdoor public spaces, such as parks and sports courts – but not in private gardens.
  • Hospitality will be closed except for takeaway.
  • Weddings are banned.
  • Places of worship can reopen in all tiers for collective worship, but in Tiers 2 and 3 people must not interact with anyone outside their household or support bubble.

Mr Johnson said: “Spectator sports and business events will be free to resume inside and outside with capacity limits and social distancing, providing more consistency with indoor performances in theatres and concert halls.”

He did not confirm the capacity limits or percentages, but culture Secretary Oliver Dowden later outlined in a tweet that 4,000 spectators or 50 per cent capacity limits – whichever is lowest – would be in place in tier 1, dropping to 2,000 or 50 per cent for indoor venues, while in tier 2 it will be 2,000 outdoors and 1,000 indoors, or 50 per cent capacity.

The Government is also working on a time-limited Christmas dispensation with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Mr Johnson said Christmas would not be “normal” this year but recognised that “time spent with loved ones is even more precious for people of all faiths and none” in a period of adversity.

Plans are expected to be finalised later this week.