Bristol to go into Tier Three post-lockdown

As the national lockdown comes to an end, the Government has announced which tier each area of the country will be placed into.

Health secretary Matt Hancock delivered his statement on tiers at 11.30am, which will be followed by an live press conference from Downing Street this evening. The Government website with information surrounding tiers crashed soon after the announcement.

The 11.30am statement from Hancock revealed that Bristol going into Tier Three. The tier system was introduced prior to the the second lockdown, but the tiers will be slightly different from Thursday, December 3.

With the city in Tier Three, this is what life in Bristol will look like until at least Wednesday, December 16, when the tiers will be re-evaluated for the first time.

Being in Tier Three means no groups can meet indoors or in a private garden.

Six people can meet in public spaces, such as parks, and leisure and sports facilities canto stay open, but group exercise classes should not go ahead.

People will be allowed to meet in parks. Photo: Ellie Pipe

Schools, colleges and universities will remain open, as will retail store and “personal care venues”, such as hairdressers.

Hospitality venues will close except for takeaways, deliveries and drive-throughs, overnight stays are advised against other than within a “support bubble” and all indoor entertainment venues will be closed.

Events, except drive through events, are not permitted and weddings receptions have a limit of 15 guests and 30 people can attend funerals.

Places of worship will remain open, but accommodation such as hotels, campsites and guests houses must close.

Tier Three restrictions will have a big impact on the city’s economy. Photo: Bristol City Council

Organised outdoor sport can continue, however higher-risk contact activity should not take place, and elite sport events may continue to take place without spectators

The tiers have been decided based on cases across all age groups, especially among over-60s, the rate at which cases are rising or falling, the percentage of those tested in the area who have Covid-19 and the current and projected pressures on the NHS.

The latest statistics for Bristol, released on Wednesday, November 25 by Bristol City Council, show that the city’s rate per 100,000 people is 354.6, above the England average of 218.4 and the South West rate of 149.6.

“While we all want to get back to normal as quickly as possible we also must get the Covid-19 infection rate in the city down,” said mayor Marvin Rees following the announcement. “Covid-19 is devastating lives and livelihoods – people are becoming very unwell and businesses and workers are facing enormous financial challenges.

“For every moment we are in Tier Three, the hospitality sector will be further damaged, people will lose businesses they have built up and jobs will be on the line. We can all help move to a tier with fewer restrictions if we work together and follow the guidance.

“Covid-19 is transmitted from person to person, and we know that one of the main reasons for the recent increase in infection rates is because people are going into other people’s homes when they shouldn’t be.

“We all want to see friends and family, but for now it is really important we protect those we love by not visiting them. The sooner we all do this, the sooner we can get back to some normality.”

Main photo: Lowie Trevena

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