SHUT DOWN
What is ‘Tier 5’ and what are the new lockdown rules?
CORONAVIRUS cases and deaths continue to rise, and the UK now faces another lockdown to curb the spread of the deadly bug.
Up until January 4 when the new lockdown was announced, over three-quarters of the population were in Tier 4, sparking speculation that a potential Tier 5 could be on the horizon.
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What is 'Tier 5'?
The tier system was brought back following the second national lockdown ending on December 2.
Initially starting with just three tiers, on December 19, Boris Johnson announced a fourth - and stricter - level would be introduced, with London among those entering into it.
This was due to the spread of the new Covid strain spreading from the South East.
Just days before Christmas the PM held an emergency press conference to bring in a Tier 4 - with shops, gyms and other non-essential indoor activities closed down.
And on Wednesday, December 30, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced new areas to be added to Tier 4.
Spiralling infections fuelled speculation that a fifth tier, resembling the first national lockdown, could be introduced in the most infected areas.
On January 3, Boris Johnson refused to rule out another full lockdown or Tier 5, when asked if we would go back to March's rules of limited exercise and school closures.
He told the Andrew Marr Show: "It may be that we need to do things in the next few weeks that will be tougher in many parts of the country. I'm fully, fully reconciled to that."
Mr Hancock added on Monday, January 4, that the Government could introduce another national lockdown in England.
Boris Johnson spoke to the nation on January 4, putting the country into a national lockdown, asking that, like in March, we stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.
What could 'Tier 5' rules be?
Nobody knows for certain what a "Tier 5" would entail - and in his announcement on January 4, Boris Johnson did not describe the new lockdown as "Tier 5".
Matt Hancock today, January 4, said that there were no proposals for Tier 5.
The new restrictions include the closure of all schools until mid February.
Sage suggested that might not even be enough to combat the spread in papers released last week.
They also suggested the Government should look again at:
- Bringing back the 2m rule
- Advising people to wear masks in offices and classrooms
- Extending Tier 4 (which has already been done twice)
- Looking at the operation of schools (action already partially taken)
- More travel restrictions - both within the UK and abroad
- A new strategy should be launched to urge the nation to cut their indoor contacts down to as few people as possible
- A national lockdown similar to March
The PM refused to rule out shutting schools amid warnings from scientists that it would be needed to reduce the R - the rate of infection.
Asked whether new measures could include curfews or restricting people once again to an hour of exercise a day, he said: "There are obviously a range of tougher measures that we would have to consider."
But Government sources have played down both of these suggestions.
During November it was legally enforceable too, meaning people could face fines for leaving home without a reasonable excuse.
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies has told the PM that because of the new faster-spreading variant of the virus, the R rate would surge above 1 in January, it has been reported.
A senior Whitehall source told the : “We are ruling nothing out, the new strain is of serious concern. Tier 4 appears to not be strong enough."
Under Tier 4, pubs, bars and restaurants are still allowed to operate as a takeaway facility.
Under Tier 4, you can't mix indoors with anyone outside your household or support bubble - but you can meet one person outside in a public place like a park.
In Tier 4, it was possible to leave home for "permitted reasons" like travelling to work or education.
that health experts advised the Prime Minister to assert stronger measures, including closing secondary schools as well as pubs and non-essential shops like garden centres which are allowed to remain open.
The news comes as Covid hospital admissions in England have soared past the April peak at "unprecedented levels" during the Christmas week as doctors warn "vulnerable" hospitals are on the brink of being overwhelmed.
Cases have soared to the highest numbers yet, with 57,725 positive tests reported on January 2.
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When is the next lockdown review?
Boris Johnson has announced a national lockdown which means we must stay at home unless absolutely necessary - and this will remain the case until the middle of February.
The government says it "keeps the data under constant review" and is not afraid to act "to protect local communities".
It says: "Data assessed includes how quickly case rates are going up or down, cases in the over 60s, pressure on the NHS and local circumstances.
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"Where regions are densely populated with lots of people travelling between areas, tiers must be targeted at the appropriate level to protect people and control transmission."
UK Covid cases see biggest ever rise with 41,385 infections and 357 deaths as country faces stricter ‘Tier 5’ lockdown
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