Here's what the new three-tier coronavirus restrictions mean
The Prime Minister has set out his plan for a three-tier system, with areas labelled as medium, high or very high risk.
Last updated 23rd May 2022
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set out a new three-tier system of restrictions for England to try and stop the spread of COVID-19.
He's told the House of Commons that he doesn't want a return to the national lockdown of earlier in the year and has set out a plan to stop the spread.
England will be put into three alert levels depending on infection rates in the area.
Here is everything you need to know about what Boris has announced:
The tree tier system
England will be placed into “medium”, “high” and “very high” alert levels under the new restrictions.
Each area will have different restrictions, depending on how bad the spread of the virus is.
Schools, non-essential retail and universities will remain open in all levels.
A postcode checker will be launched on the Government’s website to advise people what guidance applies to their area.
Medium tier
Areas listed as medium will be subject to the same rules as those which currently apply across the country, such as the rule of six and the 10pm hospitality curfew.
High alert
In the high alert level, which will apply to most of the areas already subject to restrictions, household mixing will be banned indoors.
Support bubbles will still be permitted, however.
Very high alert
The very high alert level will mean social mixing will be prohibited indoors and in private gardens.
Pubs and bars will be closed in the very high alert level areas unless they can operate as a restaurant. People will also be advised against travel in and out of the areas.
Local leaders will help determine whether other venues should be closed – such as gyms or casinos in very high alert level areas. A four-week sunset clause will apply to the restrictions
Where are the 'very high alert areas?
Liverpool will be the first area to be in the very high alert category.
The Prime Minister said agreement has been reached with leaders in Merseyside, explaining it will be in the “very high alert” level from Wednesday – with gyms, leisure centres, betting shops, adult gaming centres and casinos also closing.
Mr Johnson said: “Engagement with other leaders in the North West, the North East and Yorkshire and Humber is continuing.
“I know how difficult this is, they like us, like everyone in this House are grappling with very real dilemmas, but we cannot let the NHS fall over when lives are at stake.”
“Most areas which are already subject to local restrictions will automatically move into the high alert level. As a result of rising infection rates, Nottinghamshire, East and West Cheshire and a small area of High Peak will also move into the high alert level.
Watch the Prime Minister's full statement:
A postcode checker will be launched on the Government’s website to advise people what guidance applies to their area.
Each local authority area will be placed in a local Covid alert level by the end of Monday, Downing Street said.
Retail, schools and universities will remain open.
More people are now in hospital with coronavirus than in March
NHS England’s national medical director, Professor Stephen Powis, said this morning that there is still no cure or vaccine for Covid-19 and that more people are now in hospital with coronavirus than before restrictions were announced in March.
“Sadly, as the number of those infected increases, then so will the number of people who die,” he said.
“And that’s why the Government is looking at what other measures could be introduced in the areas where infection is rising the most.
“As the Secretary of State for Health has said, if we do not take measures to control the spread of the virus, the death toll will be too great to bear.”
Pressure on Hospitals
Pressure is building on NHS hospitals, with a steep rise in the number of people needing urgent treatment for coronavirus, senior government advisers have said.
England’s deputy chief medical officer, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, said that while cases are rising fastest in the North of England, it is of “concern” that they are “heating up” in more parts of the country compared with a week ago.
Speaking at a press briefing ahead of an announcement on further restrictions from Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Prof Van-Tam said other regions are now following the North West of England pattern where the virus moved through the age bands, having started spiking among young people at first.
“There is the spread from those younger age groups into the 60-plus age group in the North West and the North East, and there are rates of change in the same places but also extending a little further south,” he said.
“And this is again of significant concern, because of course the elderly suffer a much worse course with Covid-19, they are admitted to hospital for longer periods, and they are more difficult to save.”
He said the rise in coronavirus cases is now being seen “nationwide” and is not solely a problem for northern England.
“This is a nationwide phenomenon now that rates are changing upwards across the UK,” he said.