Tier 2 coronavirus restrictions for Surrey and Hampshire as lockdown ends

England has come out of a second national coronavirus lockdown and moves into a revamped tier system - with 99 percent of the country in the top two tiers of restrictions.

Surrey and Hampshire are now under Tier 2 - it means non-essential shops and gyms can reopen - and restaurants, with restrictions - but households cannot mix indoors.

Although MPs approved the measures last night, over 50 Conservative backbenchers voted against them.

The only MP in our area voting no was Dr Ben Spencer of Runnymede and Weybridge.

The Foreign secretary Dominic Raab - who is also MP for Esher and Walton - says if infections fall, rules could soften in some areas:

"We started off with a more restrictive approach then previously with the tiered approach, and that's precisely so that we can take confident, sure-footed steps forward, and then ease up and go through the tiers and relax them when we are confident that it will not allow the virus to take back hold".

There are concerns however among the local business community about the impact of Tier 2 restrictions on the hospitality industry.

Chief Executive of Surrey Chambers of Commerce, Louise Punter, told Greatest Hits Radio:

"There was some expectation that Surrey would go back into Tier .

"By moving into Tier 2, this definitely reduces some of the positive impact.

"Only family groups can eat out in restaurants, and at a time of a year when work colleagues and friends would be celebrating and socialising, it will definitely limit the income for hospitality venues."

She said there was also the worry that the reopening of non-essential shops was too little, too late:

"Many people would have got into the habit of purchasing online, so it will be unlikely it will be enough for local businesses to play catch up.

"Having said that, we've heard many people say they're planning to buy local for Christmas this year, so hopefully there will be a flurry of activity after Thursday, especially as Saturday is designated as Small Business Saturday."

So what are the rules for Tier 2?

Find a further information about Tier 2 and what it means for you here.