Johnson confirms tighter tiering and enhanced hospitality restrictions

The restrictions on hospitality in tiers 2 and 3 are to be increased on 3 December and more areas are likely to exit lockdown into the higher alert levels, the Prime Minister has announced. Speaking via video link to the Commons today, Johnson confirmed that lockdown restrictions will be lifted on 2 December and will not be renewed, but the country will enter a tightened regional tiered approach. As has been speculated over the weekend, pubs and bars in tier 2 areas will be required to close unless operating as restaurants – serving alcohol with a ‘substantial meal’ – and in tier 3, all hospitality businesses will be closed with the exception of takeaway, drive-through and delivery. One marginal positive for businesses in tiers 1 and 2 is a revision of the 10pm curfew, which will be extended until 11pm – with last orders now at 10pm rather than complete closure.