England leaves lockdown on Wednesday, with tighter restrictions

England left lockdown on Wednesday, but tighter restrictions for half the country is no festive cheer.

England’s 4 week lockdown ended on Wednesday 2nd December, but the rules have been tightened for the top tier 3, with pubs and restaurants still closed for nearly half of England.

The new 3 tier system in England will see 23 million people in the new top tier, with much of the North of England under tier 3 restrictions, including Manchester, Newcastle and Birmingham. Tier 3 has no mixing indoors and people can only meet outdoors in limited places such as parks and public gardens. Pubs and restaurants must close, with the exception of takeaway sales.

Tier 2 includes London, Liverpool amongst others which will mean no mixing indoors, apart from support bubbles. Up to six people can meet outdoors. Pubs and restaurants can open, with last orders at 10pm and closing at 11pm - but alcohol can only be served with a substantial meal.

In Tier 1 up to six people can meet indoors or outdoors. Pubs and restaurants can open, with last orders at 10pm and closing at 11pm. But only three small areas in England are in this category - Cornwall, Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly - with a total population in tier 1 of just 642,000.