Isle of Wight will be in Tier 1 - Here’s what else we know (updated)

The Isle of Wight will be placed in Tier 1 once the country comes out of the second Coronavirus lockdown on 3rd December, it has been announced today.

The Isle of Wight is one of three areas that remain in Tier 1 in the country, the others being Cornwall and Isles of Scilly.

Neighbouring Portsmouth and Southampton are both in Tier 2 – see full list below.

Although the figures for the Island remain low, the number of positive Coronavirus tests on the Island has been steadily rising, peaking in November, with a cumulative total of 940 positive tests reported on Wednesday.

Reviewed regularly
As before, the Tier system will be reviewed regularly (next review 16th December) and could lead to an area’s Tier level changing before Christmas.

Under Tier 1, hospitality businesses can stay open until 11pm with table service only, but, in an effort to stagger departures, last orders must be made by 10pm.

The “rule of six” will also remain in place indoors, meaning social household mixing is still allowed.

In Tier 1, people will be encouraged to minimise travel and work from home where possible. See the full restrictions below.

Careful judgement needed for Christmas bubbles
Earlier in the week the Prime Minister announced that families can get together in a bubble of three households for five days between 23rd and 27th December.

Although the Government said people will be permitted to ‘travel between Tiers without restriction’ in the five-day period (to join their Christmas bubble), scientists have urged caution.

Considering the social risk
Medical experts have said people should exercise “careful judgement” about visiting elderly relatives at Christmas and reminding people that forming a bubble for those who are vulnerable or clinically extremely vulnerable carries additional risks.

When following these new rules, residents are reminded to continue to take personal responsibility to limit the spread of the virus and protect loved ones, particularly if they are vulnerable.

Delay or have a different kind of Christmas?
Professor Devi Sridhar and Joan Bakewell were interviewed by Channel Four News earlier in the week to give their view of whether families should be travelling across the country to be spending time together over the Christmas period.

Press play below to hear their views.

Tier One restrictions
You must not socialise in groups larger than 6 people, indoors or outdoors, other than where a legal exemption applies. This is called the ‘rule of 6’

businesses and venues can remain open, in a COVID secure manner, other than those which remain closed by law, such as nightclubs
hospitality businesses selling food or drink for consumption on their premises are required to:
provide table service only, for premises that serve alcohol
close between 11pm and 5am (hospitality venues in airports, ports, on transport services and in motorway service areas are exempt)
stop taking orders after 10pm
hospitality businesses and venues selling food and drink for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through
early closure (11pm) applies to casinos, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, museums, bowling alleys, amusement arcades, funfairs, theme parks, adventure parks and activities and bingo halls. Cinemas, theatres and concert halls can stay open beyond 11pm in order to conclude performances that start before 10pm
public attendance at outdoor and indoor events (performances and shows) is permitted, limited to whichever is lower: 50% capacity, or either 4,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors
public attendance at spectator sport and business events can resume inside and outside, subject to social contact rules and limited to whichever is lower: 50% capacity, or either 4,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors
places of worship remain open, but you must not attend or socialise in groups of more than 6 people while there, unless a legal exemption applies
weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on numbers of attendees – 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies and receptions, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies, and 15 people can attend linked commemorative events
organised outdoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes can continue
organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes can continue to take place, if the rule of 6 is followed. There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes, and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s, which can take place with larger groups mixing
if you live in a tier 1 area and travel to an area in a higher tier you should follow the rules for that area while you are there. Avoid travel to or overnight stays in tier 3 areas other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities. You can travel through a tier 3 area as part of a longer journey
for international travel see the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice for your destination and the travel corridors list

(Scroll up to find out more about Christmas bubble arrangements and Tier 1 restrictions)

Tier 1: Medium alert

South East

Isle of Wight

South West

Cornwall
Isles of Scilly

Tier 2: High alert

North West

Cumbria
Liverpool City Region
Warrington and Cheshire

Yorkshire

York
North Yorkshire

West Midlands

Worcestershire
Herefordshire
Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin

East Midlands

Rutland
Northamptonshire

East of England

Suffolk
Hertfordshire
Cambridgeshire, including Peterborough
Norfolk
Essex, Thurrock and Southend on Sea
Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes

London

all 32 boroughs plus the City of London

South East

East Sussex
West Sussex
Brighton and Hove
Surrey
Reading
Wokingham
Bracknell Forest
Windsor and Maidenhead
West Berkshire
Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton
Buckinghamshire
Oxfordshire

South West

South Somerset, Somerset West and Taunton, Mendip and Sedgemoor
Bath and North East Somerset
Dorset
Bournemouth
Christchurch
Poole
Gloucestershire
Wiltshire and Swindon
Devon

Tier 3: Very High alert

North East

Tees Valley Combined Authority:
- Hartlepool
- Middlesbrough
- Stockton-on-Tees
- Redcar and Cleveland
- Darlington
North East Combined Authority:
- Sunderland
- South Tyneside
- Gateshead
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- North Tyneside
- County Durham
- Northumberland