Tomorrow Milton Keynes will be finding out which tier it has been allocated to.
The government has announced details of a new three tier system that will come into force when the four-week lockdown, 2.0 ends in England next Wednesday, 2 December.
Under the new three tier system a tier 2 allocation will mean indoor entertainment venues, such as cinemas, casinos and bowling alleys must close.
Yesterday Cllr Pete Marland, Leader of Milton Keynes Council expressed his concerns to MKFM that MK could be placed in tier 2 as the rate of infection continues to rise.
Pete said: "Our increasing infection rate means we are at risk of being placed into a tier that has more restrictions when lockdown ends. We need to act now to get that rate down to ensure we keep people safe, to protect our NHS and for our economy.
"Unless we get the rate down, I believe we will end up in tier 2."
He added: "Your actions over the next few days or weeks will make a difference. Stay home, take care, get the rate down.
Here are the rules for tier 2:
Under the new three tier system, although hospitality venues will be allowed to stay open until 11pm – with last orders at 10pm – only those that serve substantial meals can operate. It means pubs and bars that do not will have to close.
Spectators will be allowed to watch sport in tier 2, with a maximum crowd capacity outdoors of 50% of the capacity of the stadium or 2,000 people, whichever is smaller. Indoors, the maximum capacity is 1,000.
As before, social mixing outside of households or support bubbles will not be allowed indoors. The rule of six will apply outdoors. However the government has announced people will be able to celebrate in three-household "Christmas bubbles" with their families, between 23 to 27 December.
Individuals will also be able to travel between tiers and across the whole of the UK without restriction within the five-day period for the purposes of meeting with their bubble.
Those travelling to and from Northern Ireland will be permitted to travel an additional day either side.
The Prime Minister confirmed the tier rating will be reviewed every 14 days. So, if the infection rate for Milton Keynes drops, restrictions could be eased by Christmas.
© MKFM News 2020
