Health Secretary Matt Hancock is due to announce the outcome of the Government’s review of the Tiered system today (Thursday, December 17).
It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson told MPs that the four UK nations have agreed to continue “in principle” with the easing of coronavirus restrictions over Christmas.
Tier restrictions were reviewed on Wednesday, December 16, and an announcement is expected later this morning.
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The North East is waiting to hear if it will remain in Tier 3 – the toughest restrictions.
Tier 3 restrictions means pubs, cafes and restaurants must remain closed, except for takeaway. Households are not allowed to mix indoors or in private gardens.
Scroll down to follow our coverage of today’s press conference .
Government due to announce Tier decision today
Last updated: Thursday, 17 December, 2020, 15:43
- The Government is due to announce if the North East will remain in Tier 3 at 11.30am
- The region has been under the tightest restrictions since the second national lockdown ended earlier this month
- Boris Johnson confirmed that Christmas Covid rules would go ahead
Secondary school and college pupils’ return to class in England will be staggered in the first week of January
Exam-year students will go back to school as normal after the Christmas holidays, but the majority of secondary school pupils will start the term online.
It is hoped the staggered return will allow headteachers to roll out mass testing of children and staff in the new year.
Furlough scheme to be extended
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that the furlough scheme will be extended for an extra month until the end of April.
When will the tier restrictions be reviewed?
When tier restrictions will be reviewed next and what criteria will be used as Sunderland is kept in Tier 3
The government announced new tier restrictions for some parts of England on Thursday, December 17 – but when will this be reviewed?
Boris Johnson signed off on the latest coronavirus tier changes for England at a meeting of ministers on Wednesday evening
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said the decisions were based on the advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and the NHS which had been examining the latest data.
The spokesman said: “The PM and ministers will have taken the latest medical advice and scientific data, and will have looked very closely at the statistics to inform decisions that have been made."
What tier is Hartlepool in?
What tier is Hartlepool in - these are the Covid rules after mid-December tier review
Hartlepool and the rest of the North East will remain under Tier 3 restrictions following the Government’s mid-December review of the system.
What tier is South Tyneside in?
What tier is South Tyneside in - these are the Covid rules after mid-December tier review
South Tyneside and the rest of the North East will remain under Tier 3 restrictions following the Government’s mid-December review of the system.
What tier is Sunderland in?
What tier is Sunderland in - the Covid rules and when next review will happen after mid-December announcment
Sunderland and the rest of the North East will remain under Tier 3 restrictions following the Government’s mid-December review of the system.
Majority of the UK will be under Tier 3 restrictions
A total of 38 million people will be living in Tier 3 of the Government’s Covid-19 restrictions from this Saturday – 68% of the population of England.
Some 30% of the population will be in Tier 2 while 2% will be in Tier 1.
Matt Hancock urged people to take “personal responsibility” in keeping the pandemic under control.
He told the Commons: “It’s so vital that everyone sticks at it and does the right thing, especially over this Christmas period.
“It’s important to remember that this can be a silent disease. One in three people who have the disease has no symptoms but can still pass it on."