British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday has announced a tougher tiered system of coronavirus restrictions which will be implemented soon after the current lockdown ends on December 2.
The Xinhua news agency reported that Johnson has revealed to the House of Commons his plans under the “Covid Winter Plan” in which an improved three-tiered system "is designed to carry us safely to spring".
Under Tier One, people will be compelled to work from home which is the lowest of the new three-tier system.
In Tier Two areas, pubs and bars must close unless they are serving substantial meals along with alcoholic drinks.
All pubs, bars and restaurants must remain closed except for delivery, takeaway and drive-through while hotels and indoor entertainment outlets will remain shut in areas with Three Tier system of restriction.
Johnson said he will announce which areas will fall into which tier later this week, probably on Thursday.
The Prime Minister said he was "very sorry for the unavoidable hardship to business owners who have already endured so much destruction this year".
Meanwhile, shops, gyms and salons are allowed to reopen across the country after December 2 with the "rule of six" which will allow people to meet up to six people from different households outdoors across England.
Adhering to social distancing, collective worship, weddings and outdoor sports can resume across England, travelling outstations will be permitted but on return, Britons will be subjected to quarantine rules.
PM Johnson is expected to announce later this week on how Britons can gather during the upcoming Christmas season. "Christmas cannot be normal and there's a long road to spring," he said.
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The Prime Minister noted that "scientific cavalry is in sight", referring to the advances in testing, treatment and vaccines.
Johnson told MPs, "By the spring these advances should reduce the need for the restrictions we have endured in 2020 and make the whole concept of a Covid lockdown redundant.”