THE government’s updated three tier coronavirus alert system has sparked a huge amount of debate since areas across England were allocated their tier last week.
Many people feel their area is under too stringent measures, while other would like to see some cities placed under tighter rules to drive down the Covid infection rate.
In an attempt to continue the downward trend in the number of coronavirus cases across the UK when the national lockdown ends at midnight, the government has introduced a “tougher” tier system than the one seen in October.
And, this time around many areas which were previously in Tier 1 have now been upgraded to Tier 2 as a precaution against the possibility of a resurgence in the virus.
Brighton and Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex, along with the majority of the UK, are all in Tier 2 or “high alert".
The new rules will come into effect from midnight.
But, with more extensive restrictions across a greater proportion of the country, some people questioned what will actually change when lockdown restrictions are lifted.
These are the main differences between lockdown and Tier 2:
1. Meeting people
Under the national lockdown, people were urged to stay at home whenever possible, only leaving the house for essential trips such as food shopping or accessing “critical public services”.
People could also leave home to exercise.
Meeting others in indoor spaces, both public and private, was prohibited.
People could meet with one person from outside their household in a public, outdoor space.
Under Tier 2 restrictions, meeting people from other households remains prohibited in indoor settings, unless the person is in your household’s support bubble.
This includes private settings such as homes, and public settings including pubs and restaurants.
People may meet in groups of up to six in outdoor spaces - both private gardens and public areas such as beaches and parks.
Breaking these rules can be punished by police with a fine of £200 for the first offence, doubling for each further offence up to £6,400.
If you hold, or are involved in holding, an illegal gathering of 30 or more people, the police can issue fines of £10,000.
2. Businesses
Under national lockdown, all non-essential retailers were forced to close.
Events industries such as cinemas, sports stadiums and more also had to close their doors to the public.
Hospitality venues had to shut, unless they were offering takeaway or click and collect services.
Essential retailers such as supermarkets were allowed to stay open, and could sell non-essential items.
Under Tier 2 restrictions, the majority of businesses can reopen, as long as they do so in a “Covid-secure” manner.
Nightclubs and adult entertainment venues, however, must remain closed.
Gyms can reopen.
Pubs and bars may only open if they operate as a restaurant, and they may not provide alcohol to be drunk on the premises unless it is served alongside a “substantial meal”.
Hospitality venues must stop taking orders after 10pm, and must close between 11pm and 5am.
They can continue to offer takeaway and delivery services after 11pm.
Visitor attractions, entertainment businesses and venues must also stick to this 11pm curfew.
- READ MORE: Brighton pub appears to have found a loophole to the government's 'substantial meal' rule
Theatres, concert halls, music venues and sports stadiums are allowed to open, but crowds will be limited to 2,000 people or half their overall capacity - whichever is lower.
3. Sport and physical activity
This was banned under the lockdown restrictions.
But, under Tier 2 restrictions, people can take part in organised sport and physical activity outdoors with any number of people.
People can also take part in an unlimited amount of exercise outdoors or in gyms and other sports facilities.
If it is not a formally organised activity, people can only exercise outdoors in groups of up to six (or their household or support bubble), or indoors with their own households or support bubble.
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