THE North-East will be placed on Tier 3 tomorrow, when new Covid restrictions come into force, while North Yorkshire is in Tier 2 - what does that mean for pubs?

With Christmas just around the corner, many will be wondering what they can actually do.

You may have festive traditions like Boxing Day pub crawls or meeting up with friends for a quick pint during present shopping, but both are off the cards for the North-East and North Yorkshire this year. 

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The North-East is facing the most stringent of Covid restrictions. In County Durham, Darlington, Teesside and Tyne and Wear, hospitality businesses are not open for dine-ins, unlike in Tier 1 and Tier 2. 

Instead, pubs, cafes and restaurants are allowed to open for takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services.

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The medium alert tier means a slightly eased level of restrictions for people in North Yorkshire. 

Pubs and bars are allowed to reopen when lockdown ends tomorrow, though alcohol can only be served with a 'substantial meal', effectively making them restaurants. 

The tough restrictions have faced criticism across the board, with the likes of Tory MP for Stockton South Matt Vickers making a final plea for the hospitality sector the night before new rules were voted on in Parliament. 

READ MORE: North-East MP makes final plea for hospitality sector ahead of tier vote

Many businesses in the industry will face the tough decision of whether it is worth opening doors at all. 'Wet' pubs - those without kitchen facilities - are left with no choice. 

The previous 10pm curfew, however, has been extended. Last orders are now at 10pm, with venues forced to shut between 11pm to 5am. 

However, Tier 2 means that socialising indoors in North Yorkshire must also stay strictly within households and support bubbles - but you can mix outdoors, including in gardens, as per the 'rule of six'.

Tiers will be reevaluated every two weeks, beginning on December 16.