Tier 3 rules explained – here’s everything you need to know ahead of Thursday’s lockdown in Gedling borough

Today it was announced that Gedling borough will go into a Tier 3 lockdown from 0.01am on Thursday along with Nottingham, Rushcliffe and Broxtowe.

The borough has been in Tier 2 for the past few weeks and a number of new rules will be put in place when it enters into Tier 3 lockdown on Thursday.

Here we explain what you can and can’t do when the new alert level is put in place…

Visiting pubs and restaurants

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From Thursday, you won’t be able to meet with people outside of your household either indoors or outdoors – this includes private gardens, beer gardens, unless you’re in a support bubble.

You can continue to visit restaurants and pubs that can remain open if they serve substantial meals, with your household/support bubble only.

Alcohol may only be served at these pubs alongside the ‘substantial meal’, which is defined as ‘like a main lunchtime or evening meal’ or a main course in the new guidance.

All members of the group must eat a substantial meal to get served alcohol.

Meeting family and friends

You won’t be able to meet with anyone outside of your household or support bubble in any indoor setting, including homes, restaurants, pubs and bars.

Support bubble guidance will remain the same which means a household with only one adult can join up with another household, allowing them visit each other, stay overnight, and visit places together.

Unlike in Tier 2 areas, you must also not meet with people outside of your household/support bubble in a private garden ‘or in most outdoor public venues’.

This suggests you shouldn’t meet those not in your household at an outdoor seating area at a restaurant or pub beer garden.

Schools and universities

It has been confirmed that educational settings will remain open during the lockdown.

However, there are stricter rules in place for those travelling to university in high alert areas.

You must not move back and forth between your home and student accommodation during term time.

I am classed as a vulnerable person, do I need to shield again?

The government hasn’t advised vulnerable people to do so.

The guidance says that if you are clinically vulnerable you, you can go outside as much as you like but you should still try to keep your overall social interactions low.

You can visit businesses, such as supermarkets, pubs and shops, whilst keeping two metres away from others wherever possible or one metre plus other precautions.

Weddings, civil partnerships, religious services and funerals

You can still attend places of worship for a service during lockdown, but mustn’t mingle with other households whilst there.

Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies can take place with up to 15 people. But only at ‘Covid secure’ venues or in public outdoor spaces, unless in exceptional circumstances.

Wedding receptions are banned.

Thirty people are allowed at funerals, while wakes are limited to 15. Where food or drink is consumed, this should be in the form of a sit-down meal to ensure people can keep their distance from each other.

Can you travel outside Nottingham during Tier 3 lockdown?

You may continue to travel to venues or amenities which are open, for work, or to access education, within a very high alert level area, but you should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make.

They are also advising people not to travel into or out of an area if it has been categorised as a very high alert level area (Tier 3).

You can continue to travel into or out of very high alert level areas if you need to for work, education, to access youth services or because of caring responsibilities.

You may also do so where necessary as part of a longer journey – such as when a journey between lower risk areas passes through a very high alert level area.