What tier will Sheffield be in? The lockdown rules for Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 explained

It remains unclear whether Sheffield will face the strictest new controls when the Government introduces its traffic-light system for controlling the spread of coronavirus on Monday.
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Different parts of the country will be split up into ‘medium’, ‘high’ or ‘very high’ alert areas under the new system, with each tier representing an advancing scale of local restrictions.

What does each tier mean?

Tier one restrictions are thought to be the baseline restrictions in place across England, including a 10pm hospitality curfew and a ban on most gatherings of more than six people.

Shoppers wearing masks in Sheffield city centre.Shoppers wearing masks in Sheffield city centre.
Shoppers wearing masks in Sheffield city centre.
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Tier two restrictions are expected to be similar to rules currently in place in Middlesbrough and parts of the North East, where indoor mixing of households is not allowed. This includes meeting people from other households in pubs, restaurants, or bars.

Two households may be allowed to meet outdoors in public, as long as the rule of six and social distancing are followed.

Many details are yet to be confirmed but leaders in Liverpool said pubs and bars, betting shops, casinos, and gyms would close under the third “very high” tier restrictions, while reports also suggest people will have to avoid all non-essential travel and to not travel between areas. Hairdressers and barbers could stay open under the new rules, it has been reported.

According to Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen, these restrictions are expected to last for four weeks at a time.

What’s the situation like in Sheffield?

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Despite recording its lowest daily rise in new coronavirus cases since 21 September, Sheffield still has the seventh highest weekly infection rate in England, with 439 new Covid-19 cases recorded per 100,000 people in the seven days to October 8, the latest date for which reliable data is available.

In Leeds, where it is currently illegal to mix with other households, the infection rate for the same period was Leeds 381. Liverpool, which has an infection rate of 599 per 100,000 people, is set to face a tier-three lockdown.

It is therefore likely Sheffield will face at least tier two controls. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce the new restrictions at around 3.30pm on Monday.