THE UK Government has announced that Bradford District, alongside all other West Yorkshire authorities as well as most of Yorkshire, will become a Tier 3 ‘Very High Alert Level’ area once the national restrictions imposed four weeks ago end.

This means that from one minute past midnight on Wednesday, December 2, the district will be under the strictest set of restrictions.

This is because of the high rate of infection, the number of COVID-19 hospital admissions and the ongoing need to tackle the spread of coronavirus. Tier 3, however, is less strict than the restrictions imposed through the current national lockdown.

Until the new restrictions are in place, residents should continue to observe the national restrictions.

The main differences between the national restrictions and the new Tier 3 restrictions are that under Tier 3:

• People can socialise in a group of up to 6 in some 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.

• People can attend COVID-safe places of worship but must avoid mingling.

• Non-essential retail can re-open.

The Tier 3 Very High restrictions also mean that:

• People must not meet socially indoors or in most outdoor places with anybody they do not live with, or who is not in their support bubble. This includes in any private garden.

• People must not socialise in a group of more than 6 in some 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.

• Wedding and civil partnership ceremonies must only take place in COVID-secure venues or in public outdoor spaces unless in exceptional circumstances. Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are restricted to 15 people. Receptions must not take place.

• Funerals must only take place in COVID-secure venues or in public outdoor spaces with up to 30 people in attendance. Wakes or linked ceremonial events before or after the funeral are limited to 15 people and must not take place in private homes.

• Schools and colleges will remain open.

• People should try to avoid travelling outside their local area where possible, or entering another area rated Very High other than for work, education, accessing youth services, or to meet caring responsibilities.

• Visits to care homes can take place with arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods, and window visits.

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, except where exemptions apply.

Indoor entertainment and tourist venues must close. This includes:

• Museums and galleries • Soft play areas and other indoor play areas • Adult gaming centres, bingo halls and casinos • betting shops Gyms and other sport and leisure centres can open but indoor group activity and classes should not take place.