Coronavirus: New developments impact on employers as 3-tier restrictions announced

UPDATE: 13 October 2020.

Following the publication of further guidance yesterday evening and this morning, we have updated our article below.

Following the much-trailed publicity over the weekend, the Prime Minister has now announced that the 3-tier measures set out in the table below will be introduced in England on Wednesday 14 October 2020.  It has also been reported that the measures are expected to stay in place until Spring but that the status of each area will be reviewed every 4 weeks.

Tier 3 (very high risk) Tier 2 (high risk) Tier 1 (medium risk)
Regions affected

NB Every local authority has been placed in a Tier. There will be a postcode checker on  gov.uk.

Liverpool City Region.

Others may be moved into this Tier in the future.

The areas which fall into Tier 2 are set out in the Full list of local COVID alert levels by area Rest of England.
Extent of restrictions
All regions in Tier 3 (baseline)
  • Closures of pubs and bars, unless they operate as if they are a restaurant i.e serving substantial meals. Alcohol may only be served as part of a substantial meal.
  • Indoors: No household mixing (save that support bubbles, and new childcare bubbles, are permitted).
  • Outdoors: No household mixing in a private garden or most outdoor public venues. However, household mixing is permitted within the Rule of 6 at parks, beaches, the countryside, public gardens, allotments and outdoor sports facilities.
  • Organised indoor exercise classes are only permitted if it is possible for participants to avoid mixing with people they do not live, or share a support bubble, with.
  • Travel outside, and into, a Tier 3 area should be avoided, other than for things like work, education or to meet caring responsibilities.
  • Overnight stays in another part of the UK should be avoided.
  • Residents of another Tier should avoid staying overnight in a Tier 3 area.
  • Retail, schools and universities will remain open.
  • Indoors: No household mixing (save that support bubbles, and new childcare bubbles, are permitted)
  • Outdoors: Household mixing permitted within the Rule of 6 including in private gardens.
  • The 10 pm closure curfew will continue to apply to hospitality venues.
  • Organised indoor exercise classes are only permitted if it is possible for participants to avoid mixing with people they do not live, or share a support bubble, with.
  • The number of journeys made should be reduced, and walking or cycling used, where possible.
  • Household mixing is permitted. Rule of 6 will continue to apply to both indoor and outdoor settings.
  • The 10 pm closure curfew will continue to apply to hospitality venues.
  • Organised indoor sport and exercise classes can continue to take place within the Rule of 6.

 

Liverpool City Region
  • Additional closures of gyms; leisure centres; betting shops; and casinos.
 
Future Tier 3 regions
  • Closures to be discussed and locally agreed with local leaders.
  • Could include further restrictions on hospitality, leisure, entertainment and personal care sectors.
 
Business support
  • Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme up until 31 October 2020.
  • Job Support Scheme from 1 November 2020 until 30 April 2021. Detailed guidance is awaited.
  • Job Retention Bonus from 15 February 2021 until 31 March 2021.
  • The expanded Job Support Scheme will be available to businesses required to close from 1 November 2020 to 30 April 2021 (subject to 3 month review). Brief details are set out in this factsheet, with detailed guidance expected in coming weeks.
  • Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme  up until 31 October 2020.
  • Job Support Scheme  from 1 November 2020 until 30 April 2021. Detailed guidance is awaited.
  • Job Retention Bonus from 15 February 2021 until 31 March 2021.

 

  • Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme  up until 31 October 2020.
  • Job Support Scheme from 1 November 2020 until 30 April 2021. Detailed guidance is awaited.
  • Job Retention Bonus from 15 February 2021 until 31 March 2021.

 

Other support
  • More funding for local Test & Trace and enforcement.
  • Support from military for local services.

Useful links:

Local COVID alert levels: What you need to know

Full list of local COVID alert levels by area

Guidance: Local COVID alert level: Medium

Guidance: Local COVID alert level: High

Guidance: Local COVID alert level: Very high

Guidance: Local COVID alert level: Very high (Liverpool city region)