Government confirms Northamptonshire in TIER TWO under new Covid plan

No mixing indoors, 'Rule of Six' outdoors, no drinks in pubs without a meal
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Northamptonshire will be in Tier Two under the Government's Covid Winter Plan, it was confirmed today.

The county's position will be reviewed every 14 days, but from December 2 households will be banned from mixing indoors while pubs will be limited to operating as restaurants.

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed earlier this week a five-day temporary easing of measures allowing three households to mix in a bubble over Christmas, from December 23 to December 27.

Non-essential shops, hospitality and entertainment venues, gyms and personal care businesses such as hairdressers can all open again from Wednesday.

But Tier Two restrictions mean no household mixing indoors and the 'rule of six' applies outdoors, pubs and restaurants can open but can only serve alcohol alongside a substantial meal.

Spectators will be allowed at sporting events and live performances, though numbers will be strictly limited.

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Northamptonshire went into the lockdown with infection rates rising while other areas that had already seen tighter restrictions and numbers declining.

Northamptonshire will be in Tier Two under the PM's Covid Winter PlanNorthamptonshire will be in Tier Two under the PM's Covid Winter Plan
Northamptonshire will be in Tier Two under the PM's Covid Winter Plan

NOW READ: Our interactive map shows Covid alert levels for every area in EnglandMost of the numbers appear to have peaked yet remain stubbornly higher in most areas of the county than they were when Boris Johnson made his announcement on November 2.

Northamptonshire had 1,296 positive tests in the week to November 22 — down around 25 per cent from the previous week.

A further 163 positive tests were announced yesterday during the latest 24-hour recording period. Compared to 230 on the same day two weeks ago.

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Infection rates in the county have remained around the same since the lockdwon was announced with big falls in east Northamptonshire and Daventry cancelled out by rises in Northampton, Corby and Kettering.

How Northamtponshire's infection rate has changed during lockdown. Source: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/casesHow Northamtponshire's infection rate has changed during lockdown. Source: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/cases
How Northamtponshire's infection rate has changed during lockdown. Source: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/cases

Northamptonshire's two main hospitals have seen 26 deaths in the last ten days, according to NHS figures released yesterday.

NHS officials also believe hospital admissions have not yet reached their peak and many experts fear would be significant easing of the lockdown by putting the county into Tier One could lead to another surge in positive tests leading to further increases in hospital cases, jeopardising plans for a five-day Christmas break.

These are the restrictions which will apply from December 2.

Rules across all three tiers

Numbers of positive tests among the county's over-60s have been mirrored by a rise in admissions to the county's two main hospitals. Source: Public Health Northamptonshire / NHSNumbers of positive tests among the county's over-60s have been mirrored by a rise in admissions to the county's two main hospitals. Source: Public Health Northamptonshire / NHS
Numbers of positive tests among the county's over-60s have been mirrored by a rise in admissions to the county's two main hospitals. Source: Public Health Northamptonshire / NHS
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There are a few blanket rules which will be in place across all of England, regardless of which tier they are in.

The rule of six is back, with gatherings of more than six people banned across the country - for those in Tier 2 and Tier 3, people can only meet outdoors.

Shops, hairdressers, gyms and other forms of personal care are allowed to open in all tiers, although some extra rules will be in place for higher tiers.

Everyone will be advised to work from home if they can, up until the start of April next year.

Tier Two

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You must NOT socialise with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble indoors, either at home or in a public place

You must NOT socialise in a group of more than six people outside, including in a garden or a public space.

Businesses and venues CAN operate in a Covid-Secure manner, other than those such as nightclubs which remain closed by law.

Pubs and bars MUST close, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals

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Hospitality businesses selling food or drink for consumption on their premises MUST provide table service only, stop taking drinks orders at 10pm and close between 11pm and 5am.

Hospitality businesses and venues selling food and drink for consumption off the premises CAN continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through

Casinos, cinemas, theatres, museums, bowling alleys, amusement arcades, funfairs, theme parks, adventure parks and activities, and bingo halls MUST close at 11pm. Cinemas, theatres and concert halls can stay open after 11pm to finish performances that start before 10pm

Public attendance at outdoor and indoor events IS permitted but with a limit of 50 per cent capacity, or either 2,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors.

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Places of worship remain open but you must NOT socialise with people from outside of your household or support bubble while you are indoors.

Weddings and funerals CAN go ahead with restrictions on numbers – 15 at wedding ceremonies and receptions, 30 people at funerals and 15 people at wakes.

Organised outdoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes CAN continue

Organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes will ONLY be permitted if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with those they do not live with. There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s.

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You CAN travel to venues or amenities which are open, but should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible.

if you live in a Tier 2 area, you MUST continue to follow Tier 2 rules when you travel to a Tier 1 area. Avoid travel to or overnight stays in Tier 3 areas other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities.

Decisions on which tier areas are put into have been based on:

■ Case detection rate - in all age groups and, in particular, the over-60s

■ How quickly case rates are rising or falling

■ Positivity in the general population

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■ Pressure on the NHS - including current and projected NHS capacity

■ Local context and exceptional circumstances, such as a local but contained outbreak

Northamptonshire could be moved up a tier if these indicators are not improving, and likewise down to a lower one if they improve.