Boris Johnson announces Covid Winter Plan as he outlines tougher three-tier system
Boris Johnson has outlined details of his Covid winter plan as the national lockdown comes to an end on Wednesday 2nd December.
Addressing the House of Commons via video link, Mr Johnson confirmed that the national restrictions will end on the 2nd December before adding that "they will not be renewed."
What happens after Wednesday 2nd December?
Once the national lockdown ends, people across England will be able to leave their home for any purpose and meet others in outdoor public spaces, subject to the rule of six, collective worship, weddings and outdoor sports can resume, and shops, personal care, gyms and the wider leisure sector can reopen.
The 10pm curfew on restaurants, bars and restaurants will be extended to 11pm.
What are the latest three-tier restrictions?
The tier system will return with restrictions subject to each tier.
Outlining the rules of each tier, Mr Johnson said those in Tier 1 should continue to work from home wherever possible, but people who cannot work from home will still be allowed to attend their workplace.
Tier 2 is being tightened so that hospitality venues can only serve alcohol as part of a substantial meal. If they can't, they must close.
Under both Tier 1 and 2, 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.
Under Tier 3 all hotels and hospitality venues will be forced to close, except those offering takeaway and delivery - all indoor entertainment venues will also be told to close.
While the rule of six applies in all tiers, in Tiers 2 and 3 cross household indoor mixing will still be banned.
The rules under each tier will be non-negotiable, the prime minister said.
How long with the tier-system last?
The structure will be in place until the end of March 2021.
How do I know which tier I'm in?
The prime minister will announce which areas will be going into what tier on Thursday 26th November, But he warned that it is likely that more areas will go into higher tiers.
What about Christmas?
The prime minister didn't outline a plan for Christmas during his address to the House of Commons. However, he told MPs: "I can't say that Christmas will be normal this year, but in a period of adversity, time spent with loved ones is even more precious for people of all faiths and none.
"We all want some kind of Christmas, we need it, we certainly feel we deserve it. But what we don't want is to throw caution to the winds and allow the virus to flare up again, forcing us all back into lockdown in January."