Birmingham placed in Tier 3 of new lockdown restrictions

26 November 2020

It has been announced today that Birmingham will be placed in Tier 3 (Very High Alert) of the Government’s new covid restrictions, when the latest lockdown ends on 2 December.

This is for areas with a very high or very rapidly rising level of infections.

In tier 3:

you must not meet socially indoors or in most outdoor places with anybody you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble, this includes in any private garden or at most outdoor venues
you must not socialise in a group of more than 6 in some other outdoor public spaces, including parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the public, a public garden, grounds of a heritage site or castle, or a sports facility – this is called the ‘rule of 6’
hospitality settings, such as bars (including shisha venues), pubs, cafes and restaurants are closed – they are permitted to continue sales by takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services.
accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, and guest houses must close. There are several exemptions, such as for those who use these venues as their main residence, and those requiring the venues where it is reasonably necessary for work or education and training
indoor entertainment and tourist venues must close. This includes:
- indoor play centres and areas, including trampolining parks and soft play
- casinos
- bingo halls
- bowling alleys
- skating rinks
- amusement arcades and adult gaming centres
- laser quests and escape rooms
- cinemas, theatres and concert halls
- snooker halls
indoor attractions at mostly outdoor entertainment venues must also close (indoor shops, through-ways and public toilets at such attractions can remain open). This includes indoor attractions within:
- zoos, safari parks, and wildlife reserves
- aquariums, visitor attractions at farms, and other animal attractions
- model villages
- museums, galleries and sculpture parks
- botanical gardens, biomes or greenhouses
- theme parks, circuses, fairgrounds and funfairs
- visitor attractions at film studios, heritage sites such as castles and stately homes
- landmarks including observation decks and viewing platforms
leisure and sports facilities may continue to stay open, but group exercise classes (including fitness and dance) should not go ahead. Saunas and steam rooms should close
there should be no public attendance at spectator sport or indoor performances and large business events should not be taking place. Elite sport events may continue to take place without spectators
large outdoor events (performances and shows) should not take place, with the exception of drive-in events
places of worship remain open, but you must not attend with or socialise with anyone outside of your household or support bubble while you are there, unless a legal exemption applies
weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees – 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions are not allowed, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies, 15 people can attend linked commemorative events
organised outdoor sport, and physical activity and exercise classes can continue, however higher-risk contact activity should not take place
organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes cannot take place indoors. There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s
you can continue to travel to venues or amenities which are open, but should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible
avoid travelling to other parts of the UK, including for overnight stays other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities. You can travel through other areas as part of a longer journey
for international travel see the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice for your destination and the travel corridors list

Exemptions from gatherings limits in all tiers

as part of a single household, or a support bubble
for work or providing voluntary or charitable services, including in other people’s homes
for childcare, education or training – meaning education and training provided as part of a formal curriculum
for supervised activities provided for children, including wraparound care (before and after-school childcare), groups and activities for under 18s, and children’s playgroups
for formal support groups, and parent and child groups – up to 15 people aged 5 and older
to allow contact between birth parents and children in care, as well as between siblings in care
for arrangements where children do not live in the same household as both their parents or guardians
for prospective adopting parents to meet a child or children who may be placed with them
for birth partners
to attend a funeral – with no more than 30 people present – or a commemorative event such as a wake for someone who has died – with no more than 15 people present
to see someone who is terminally ill or at the end of life
to attend a wedding or civil partnership – with no more than 15 people present
to provide emergency assistance
to avoid injury or illness, or to escape a risk of harm
to fulfil a legal obligation, such as attending court or jury service
to provide care or assistance to someone vulnerable or to provide respite for a carer
to facilitate moving home