Cornwall in Tier 2: What are the rules?

The Duchy will have to follow new restrictions from Boxing Day

Author: Sarah YeomanPublished 23rd Dec 2020
Last updated 23rd Dec 2020

Cornwall will be under Tier 2 coronavirus restrictions from Boxing Day onwards, as Covid cases continue to rise 'rapidly' in the Duchy.

But what are the rules? Here is a full list of what you can and can't do:

Meeting family and friends

Meeting indoors

You can only meet socially with friends and family indoors who you either:

live with

have formed a support bubble with

Unless a legal exemption applies.

‘Indoors’ means any indoor setting, including:

private homes

other indoor venues such as pubs and restaurants

Meeting outdoors

You can see friends and family you do not live with (or do not have a support bubble with) outdoors, in a group of no more than 6. This limit of 6 includes children of any age.

‘Outdoors’ means in a private garden or other outdoor space.

You can continue to meet in a group larger than 6 if you are all from the same household or support bubble or another legal exemption applies.

Support and childcare bubbles

There is separate guidance for support bubbles and childcare bubbles across all tiers. Support bubbles have been expanded. From 2 December you can form a support bubble with another household if any of the following apply to you:

you are the only adult in your household – any other members of the household having been under 18 on 12 June 2020 – or are an under-18-year-old living alone.

you live with someone with a disability who requires continuous care and there is no other adult living in the household

you live with a child who is under 1, or who was under 1 on 2 December 2020

you live with a child who is under 5, or who was under 5 on 2 December 2020, with a disability

You may need to change your support bubble if your circumstances change. Find out more about changing your support bubble

Meeting in larger groups

There are exceptions where people can continue to gather indoors, or in groups larger than 6 outdoors, including:

as part of a single household or support bubble

in a childcare bubble (for the purposes of childcare only)

for work, or providing voluntary or charitable services, including in other people’s homes (see guidance on working safely in other people’s homes)

for registered childcare, education or training – meaning education related to a formal curriculum, or training that relates to work or obtaining work

for supervised activities provided for children, and those who were under 18 on 31 August 2020, including wraparound care (before and after school childcare), childrens’ groups and activities for under-18s, and children’s playgroups

for parent and toddler groups – up to a maximum of 15 people (under-5s do not count towards this limit). These cannot take place in private dwellings

for arrangements where children do not live in the same household as both their parents or guardians

to allow contact between birth parents and children in care, as well as between siblings in care

for prospective adopting parents to meet a child or children who may be placed with them

support groups of up to 15 participants – formally organised groups to provide mutual aid, therapy or any other form of support, where it is necessary for these to take place in person. These cannot take place in private dwellings. Under-5s do not count towards the 15-person limit for support groups

for birth partners

to provide emergency assistance, and to avoid injury or illness, or to escape a risk of harm

to see someone who is dying

to fulfil a legal obligation, such as attending court or jury service

for gatherings within criminal justice accommodation or immigration detention centres

to provide care or assistance to someone vulnerable, or to provide respite for a carer

for a wedding or equivalent ceremony and reception where the organiser has carried out a risk assessment and taken all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of the virus – up to 15 people. These cannot take place in private dwellings, except for deathbed weddings that take place in exceptional circumstances where one of the parties is seriously ill and not expected to recover

for funerals – up to a maximum of 30 people and for linked commemorative events, such as wakes or stone settings – up to 15 people. These cannot take place in private dwellings except for members of the same household or support bubble.

to visit someone at home who is dying, or to visit someone receiving treatment in a hospital, hospice or care home, or accompanying a family or friend to a medical appointment

for elite sportspeople (and their support team if necessary, or parents/guardians if they are under 18) to compete and train

for organised outdoor sport and physical activity, and organised sports for disabled people

to facilitate a house move

Other activities, such as hobby groups, organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes can continue to take place, provided that different households or support bubbles do not mix. Where it is likely that groups will mix, these activities should not go ahead. There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s, which can take place with larger groups mixing.

Where a group includes someone covered by an exception (for example, someone who is working or volunteering), they are not generally counted as part of the gatherings limit. This means, for example, a tradesperson can go into a household without breaching the limit, if they are there for work, and the officiant at a wedding would not count towards the limit.

If you break the rules

The police can take action against you if you meet in larger groups. This includes breaking up illegal gatherings and issuing fines (fixed penalty notices).

You can be given a fixed penalty notice of £200 for the first offence, doubling for each further offence up to £6,400. If you hold, or are involved in holding, an illegal gathering of over 30 people, the police can issue fines of £10,000.

Keeping you and your friends and family safe

When meeting friends and family you should also:

follow guidance on social distancing and letting in fresh air

limit how many different people you see socially over any period of time.

meet people outdoors if possible: this is safer because fresh air provides better ventilation

Protecting people more at risk from coronavirus

If you have any of the following health conditions, you may be clinically vulnerable, meaning you could be at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus. If you are clinically vulnerable you:

can go outside as much as you like but you should still try to keep your overall social interactions low.

can go to school

should still access the social care and medical services you need

can visit businesses, such as supermarkets, pubs and shops, while keeping 2 metres away from others wherever possible or 1 metre plus other precautions, but consider doing so at quieter times of the day

should continue to wash your hands carefully and more frequently than usual and maintain thorough cleaning of frequently touched areas in your home and/or workspace

Clinically vulnerable people are those who are:

aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)

under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (that is, anyone instructed to get a flu jab each year on medical grounds):

chronic (long-term) mild to moderate respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis

chronic heart disease, such as heart failure

chronic kidney disease

chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis

chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), or cerebral palsy

diabetes

a weakened immune system as the result of certain conditions or medicines they are taking (such as steroid tablets)

being seriously overweight (a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above)

pregnant

There is a further group of people who are defined, also on medical grounds, as clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus – that is, people with specific serious health conditions. At each tier, there is additional advice that clinically extremely vulnerable people must follow.

Visiting venues, such as restaurants, pubs, cinemas and museums

Venues can host multiple groups and should follow COVID-secure guidance, but you must not mix with anyone who is not part of your household or support bubble when you are indoors.

This includes in:

pubs and restaurants

leisure and entertainment venues

personal care/close contact services

public buildings, such as libraries, community centres and halls

At least one person in your group should give their contact details to the venue, or each individual should check in using the official NHS COVID-19 app so NHS Test and Trace can contact you if needed.

Businesses and venues

All businesses and venues should follow COVID-secure guidelines to protect customers, visitors and workers.

Restrictions on businesses and venues in Tier 2 areas include:

nightclubs and adult entertainment venues must remain closed

pubs and bars may not provide alcohol for consumption on the premises, unless with a substantial meal, so they are operating as a restaurant. They may remain open for take-away services

other hospitality businesses – including cafes, restaurants and social clubs – can only serve alcohol with substantial meals. If they are a business which serves alcohol for consumption on the premises, they must be table service only. In cinemas, theatres, concert halls and sports stadia, alcohol can be ordered at a bar to be consumed when seated in the auditorium or area where the screening/performance is taking place. This should be limited to only those with tickets. When it is to be consumed in the bar area itself, it must be part of a substantial meal and full table service must be provided

hospitality venues that do not serve alcohol may allow someone to order from the counter, but they must still consume their meal from a seat if eating in

hospitality venues must stop taking orders after 10pm and must close between 11pm and 5am (with exceptions for airports, ports, the Folkestone international rail terminal, on public transport services and in motorway service areas, although these places cannot sell alcohol after 11pm)

hospitality businesses and venues selling food and drink for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm, such as by take-away. After 11pm, this must only be through delivery service or click-and-collect or drive-through.

businesses must not provide shared smoking equipment for use on the premises.

visitor attractions, entertainment businesses and venues may open but early closure (11pm) applies to the following:

casinos

theatres

museums

bowling alleys

adult gaming centres and amusement arcades

funfairs, theme parks and adventure parks and activities

bingo halls

cinemas, theatres, concert halls and sports stadia

cinemas, theatres, concert halls and sports stadia can stay open beyond 11pm in order to conclude performances and events that start before 10pm

tour groups must operate in line with social contact rules. This means that larger tours where different households or support bubbles (or groups of more than 6 if outdoors) interact will not be feasible

accommodation, such as hotels, holiday lets and guesthouses, may open but businesses must take reasonable steps to ensure that social contact rules are followed within their venues

retail businesses and premises may open but must ensure that they operate in a COVID-19-secure manner

theatres, concert halls, music venues and sports stadia are open, but capacity will be restricted to whichever is lower: 50% capacity or 2,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors

conference centres and exhibition halls are open. Business events are permitted, but capacity should be restricted to whichever is lower: 50% capacity of 2,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors

certain businesses and venues are required to collect customer, visitor and staff data to support NHS Test and Trace

the wearing of face coverings for customers and staff (other than those with exemptions) is mandatory in certain indoor settings

businesses must ensure that if their workers are required to self-isolate, they do not work outside their designated place of self-isolation

businesses and venues that fail to comply with these restrictions may face fines of up to £10,000, prosecution, or in some cases closure

See full guidance on which businesses and venues are permitted to be open under each local restriction tier.

Going to work

To help contain the virus, everyone who can work effectively from home should do so.

Where people cannot do so - including, but not limited to, people who work in critical national infrastructure, construction, or manufacturing - they should continue to travel to their workplace. This is essential to keeping the country operating and supporting sectors and employers.

Public sector employees working in essential services, including childcare or education, should continue to go into work.

Where it is necessary for you to work in other people’s homes - for example, for nannies, cleaners or tradespeople - you can do so. Otherwise, you should avoid meeting for work in a private home or garden, where COVID-19 Secure measures may not be in place.

The risk of transmission can be substantially reduced if COVID-19 secure guidelines are followed closely. Extra consideration should be given to those people at higher risk.

For more information, follow the guidance on how to return to work safely.

Going to school, college and university

The government has prioritised ensuring all children and young people can attend school and college safely, to support their wellbeing and education and help working parents and guardians. All pupils should continue to attend school and colleges, unless required to self-isolate, when their school and college should provide them with high quality remote education.

Universities

Universities should follow guidance on reopening buildings to ensure they have safety measures in place to minimise the spread of the virus.

If you’re a student, you can meet in groups of more than your household as part of your formal education or training. Students should expect to follow the guidance and restrictions. You should socially distance from anyone you do not live with wherever possible.

University students are allowed to change their household temporarily once after 2 December to return home for Christmas. After that point they should comply with the social contact limits above as if their family home is their household. This will not affect any support bubble arrangements their family home is part of. Where available, students should take advantage of a free test from their university before departing.

Schools and colleges

In schools and colleges where year 7 and above are educated, face coverings should be worn by adults (staff and visitors) and pupils when moving around indoors, such as in corridors and communal areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain.

See guidance for teachers, school leaders, carers and parents on education and childcare.

Childcare

There are several ways that parents and carers can continue to access childcare in tier 2. You can get childcare support from:

registered childcare providers

professional childcare providers in the home such as nannies (see guidance on working safely in other people’s homes)

other supervised activities provided for young people (including anyone who was under 18 on 31 August 2020) – including wraparound care, childrens’ groups and activities, and children’s playgroups

people in their childcare bubble – parents are able to form a childcare bubble with one other household for the purposes of informal childcare, where the child is 13 or under.

people in their support bubble – some households will also be able to benefit from being in a support bubble.

Friends or family who do not live with you and are not part of a support or childcare bubble must not visit your home to help with childcare. Childcare bubbles are to be used to provide childcare only, and not for the purposes of different households mixing where they are otherwise not allowed to do so. Read guidance on making and using a childcare bubble.

Visiting relatives in care homes

Visits to care homes can take place with arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods, and window visits. Regular testing will be offered to up to two family members or friends per resident by Christmas, which – when combined with other infection-control measures such as PPE – will support indoor visits with physical contact. Detailed guidance will be published shortly.

Travel

Where possible, you should stay local and avoid travelling outside of your local area, meaning your village or town, or part of a city. You should stay local and avoid travelling outside of your local area, meaning your village or town, or part of a city, where possible. People should continue to travel for reasons such as work, education, getting medical attention or fulfilling caring responsibilities.

You can still continue to travel to venues that are open, or for reasons such as work or education, but you should reduce the number of journeys you make wherever possible.

Walk or cycle where possible, and plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport. This will allow you to practise social distancing while you travel.

Avoid car sharing with anyone from outside your household or your support bubble. See the guidance on car sharing.

If you need to use public transport, you should follow the safer travel guidance.

You must not travel if you are experiencing any coronavirus symptoms, are self-isolating as a result of coronavirus symptoms, are sharing a household or support bubble with somebody with symptoms, or have been told to self-isolate after being contacted by NHS Test and Trace.

You can still travel within Tier 2 areas to hotels and other guest accommodation. You should only do this with people in your household or support bubble.

Travelling out of a Tier 2 area

You should stay local and avoid travelling outside of your local area, meaning your village or town, or part of a city, where possible. People should continue to travel for reasons such as work, education, getting medical attention or fulfilling caring responsibilities.

If you live in a Tier 2 area, you must continue to follow Tier 2 rules when you travel to a Tier 1 area.

However, avoid travel to or overnight stays in Tier 3 areas other than where necessary, such as:

for work

for education

to access voluntary, charitable or youth services

to visit your support bubble

to receive medical treatment

for moving home

because of caring responsibilities

You can travel through a Tier 3 area as a part of a longer journey.

People should carefully consider whether they must travel abroad and should follow the rules in their area. In addition, you should consider the public health advice in the country you are visiting. For international travel see the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Travel Advice for your destination and the travel corridors list.

When travelling, it is important that you respect the rules in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and do not travel to different parts of the UK where their intended activities there would be prohibited by legislation passed by the relevant devolved administration.

There is guidance on what to do if you’ve booked holiday accommodation in a local restriction area.

Weddings, civil partnerships, religious services and funerals

Weddings, funerals and wakes

Wedding and civil partnership ceremonies, receptions and funerals should only take place in COVID-secure venues or in public outdoor spaces, unless in exceptional circumstances.

Receptions and wakes should be sit down meals to ensure people can keep their distance from each other and must not take place in private dwellings.

You can have up to:

15 people for weddings, civil partnership ceremonies and receptions

30 people for funerals

15 people for wakes or linked ceremonial events (such as stone-settings) before or after the funeral

The limits above are the maximum number for all attendees at the event, for example at a wedding or civil partnership ceremony to include the couple and guests. Anyone working at a wedding, civil partnership ceremony, reception, wake or funeral is not included in the limit. Within these larger gatherings, social distancing should still be followed between people who do not live together or share a support bubble.

Read the guidance on

small marriages and civil partnerships and

managing a funeral during the coronavirus pandemic.

If you live in a Tier 2 area and are going to a wedding, funeral, or linked commemorative event in a Tier 4 area, the event must follow the Tier 4 gathering limit. You must not attend a wedding reception in a Tier 3 or Tier 4 area.

If you live in a Tier 4 area and are going to a wedding, funeral or linked commemorative event inside a Tier 2 area, the event must comply with the Tier 4 gathering limits.

Places of worship

You can attend places of worship for a service. However, you must not socialise with anyone outside of your household or support bubble.

You should follow the national guidance on the safe use of places of worship.

Sport and physical activity

In line with guidelines from sporting national governing bodies, you can take part in organised sport and physical activity outdoors with any number of people.

You can only take part in organised sport, exercise classes and other group activities indoors with people you live with or share a support bubble with.

There are exceptions for the following, which can take place in any number:

disability sport

sports as part of the curriculum in education

supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s (including those who were under 18 on 31 August 2020)

You can do unlimited exercise outdoors or in gyms and other sports facilities. If it is not a formally organised activity, you can only exercise outdoors in groups of up to six (or your household or support bubble), or indoors with your own households or support bubble.

You should follow the guidance on:

recreational team sport

outdoor sport and recreation in England

for providers of grassroots sports and gym/leisure facilities

Moving home

You can still move home.

Estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to work. If you are looking to move home you can go to property viewings.

Follow the national guidance on moving home safely. This includes advice on social distancing and wearing a face covering.

Financial support

Wherever you live, you may be able to get financial help:

financial support packages for businesses

financial support for closed businesses as a result of tiering restrictions

claim for employee wages through Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

check if you can claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

financial support if you’re off work because of coronavirus

You can hear all the latest news on the hour, every hour.