Birmingham to enter Tier 3 as lockdown ends

Birmingham will be placed in the highest tier of coronavirus restrictions when England's second national lockdown ends on 2 December, the government has announced.

Under Tier 3, or "very high" alert, the tightest of the new rules, pubs, bars and restaurants will only be able to offer takeaway, delivery and click-and-collect services, and people will not be able to mix with other households indoors or in most outdoor places.

"Protecting the people of Birmingham"

Council leader Ian Ward said the council's key focus had to be protecting the city's people and communities.

"As has been the case throughout this devastating pandemic, our key focus has to be protecting the people and communities of Birmingham from the risks posed by Covid-19," he said. "We must all continue to play our part to keep our families, friends and neighbours safe."

A call for a way out

But he called on the government to set out a clear route out of the restrictions and to provide more help for businesses.

"As many council leaders, MPs, business leaders and others have been saying for a long time, we need a clear roadmap out of these restrictions and a meaningful package of support for jobs and businesses, especially in the hospitality sector, so we can focus on what needs to be done to keep people safe - and ensure our economy continues to function in an effective way," he said.

Hospitality in crisis

Cllr Ward said the hospitality sector was of particular concern. "Many businesses in this previously thriving sector are warning they may not survive the coming months if they are dealt the double blow of more restrictions and inadequate financial support," he said.

Bars and restaurants in the city reopened in July after the first lockdown, but have faced a series of new rules since, including a 10pm curfew introduced in September. They have been closed again since the start of the second national lockdown on 5 November, and the Tier 3 decision means they will not be able to welcome customers inside in the run-up to Christmas, usually their busiest time of the year.

What stays open

Under the new tiers, which apply across England from 2 December, shops, gyms and hairdressers will be able to reopen in all areas, including Tier 3. Schools will stay open. Places of worship can open, but people should not mix with other households there.

The government says the tier each area is placed in will be reviewed every two weeks, taking into account case rates, how quickly cases are rising or falling, and pressure on the NHS.

A difficult year

Birmingham has been under some form of local restriction since September, when a ban on mixing between households was introduced after a sharp rise in cases. Rates in the city remain high, and hospitals are under pressure.

There is some hope on the horizon, with news of promising results from coronavirus vaccine trials. But for now, residents are being urged to keep following the rules, to get tested if they have symptoms and to support local businesses where they can through takeaway and online orders.