Are shops, gyms, hairdressers and cafes open in Tier 2?

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ENGLAND is going into a new coronavirus tier system next week, but can shops, gyms, hairdressers and cafes stay open in Tier 2 areas?

The nation is being split into a three-tier system from December 2, with regions classed as either medium, high or very high risk.

Gyms will be able to stay open in Tier 2 areas in England once lockdown ends

The tier system is replacing the national lockdown, which has been in place since November 5.

Under the new system, Tier 2 areas are classed as “high” risk, while Tier 1 places are “medium” risk.

Meanwhile, areas under Tier 3 restrictions – which are deemed “very high risk” – face the toughest lockdown measures.

But what does this mean for hairdressers, non-essential shops and cafes? We explain all you need to know.

The tier system is replacing the national lockdown on December 2

Which areas are under tier two lockdown restrictions?

HOAR has a full list of every Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 area in England.

Below are the places in Tier 2 (high alert):

North West

  • Cumbria
  • Liverpool City Region
  • Warrington and Cheshire

Yorkshire

  • York
  • North Yorkshire

West Midlands

  • Worcestershire
  • Herefordshire
  • Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin

East Midlands

  • Rutland
  • Northamptonshire

East of England

  • Suffolk
  • Hertfordshire
  • Cambridgeshire, including Peterborough
  • Norfolk
  • Essex, Thurrock and Southend on Sea
  • Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes

London

  • all 32 boroughs plus the City of London

South East

  • East Sussex
  • West Sussex
  • Brighton and Hove
  • Surrey
  • Reading
  • Wokingham
  • Bracknell Forest
  • Windsor and Maidenhead
  • West Berkshire
  • Hampshire (except the Isle of Wight), Portsmouth and Southampton
  • Buckinghamshire
  • Oxfordshire

South West

  • South Somerset, Somerset West and Taunton, Mendip and Sedgemoor
  • Bath and North East Somerset
  • Dorset
  • Bournemouth
  • Christchurch
  • Poole
  • Gloucestershire
  • Wiltshire and Swindon
  • Devon

Can hairdressers stay open in Tier 2 areas?

Yes, hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons can stay open in Tier 2 areas.

In previous lockdowns, they were forced to close – leaving Brits going months without a professional haircut.

Can non-essential shops stay open in Tier 2 areas?

Non-essential shops will be allowed to stay open in the whole of England, regardless of the Tier.

It was a different story when England was placed into a full lockdown, which meant only essential retailers could remain open for browsing.

Meanwhile, non-essential retailers have been able to offer home delivery and click and collect services during lockdown.

Retailers including Primark, Aldi and Wilko all plan to extend their opening hours once lockdown ends.

Can gyms stay open in Tier 2 areas?

Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools will be able to reopen in all three tiers, but there’ll be some restrictions.

In Tier 2 areas, indoor group classes can still take place but only if there is no interaction between people from different households.

Gyms are currently closed across England as part of the four-week lockdown.

Can cafes, restaurants and pubs stay open in Tier 2 ares?

Cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars will open in Tier 2 areas, but pubs and bars can only serve booze alongside a “substantial meal” – including outside.

Pubs and bars operating as restaurants must also provide table service only.

Pubgoers will only be able to dine with people they live with indoors, but can sit with people outside their household outside under the “rule of six”.

The 10pm curfew will also be scrapped – with an hour of drinking and dining time now extended until 11pm under Tier 2.

What other businesses can stay open in Tier 2 areas?

The following businesses and places will also stay open in Tier 2 areas:

  • Supermarkets
  • Schools
  • Universities
  • Colleges
  • Casinos
  • Cinemas
  • Theatres
  • Museums
  • Bowling alleys
  • Amusement arcades
  • Funfairs
  • Theme parks
  • Adventure parks and activities
  • Bingo halls

Boris Johnson has promised there is “hope” for all to escape their Tiers – and vowed to review them before Christmas.

It comes after it was insinuated that some of the restrictions could be in place for six months.

We explain the rules for going to the pub if you live in a Tier 2 area.