North Yorkshire is to be moved from tier 2 to tier 3 restrictions, the Government has announced this afternoon.
The change will come into force at midnight tonight.
It comes amid a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases in the county, especially in Hambleton and Richmondshire.
More than 500 people have tested positive for the virus in North Yorkshire since Christmas Day, including 106 in Hambleton and 70 in Richmondshire.
The seven-day rate per 100,000 people stands at 178 for the county, but in Hambleton it has risen to 247 in Hambleton and is currently 184 in Richmondshire.
Richard Flinton, chair of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, said the move to Tier 3 was a “disappointing” but “understandable” one.
Mr Flinton also said he was sympathetic to hospitality businesses which he said will feel the “enormous” impact of closures over the New Year.
“This is a key moment for us,” he said. “This variant of the Covid-19 virus is more transmissible and therefore we have to be even more precautionary in terms of giving greater distance to one another, washing our hands and wearing face coverings.
“I am sure people will be concerned at this time but I have absolutely every confidence that based our past history and actions we have taken together that we can once again bare down on the current situation to get a grip on the virus.”
York has also moved to tier 3, while the North-East including Darlington and Teesside have moved into tier 4.
What are the rules in Tier 3?
Non-essential shops can open, as well as gyms, hairdressers and other personal care businesses. Places of worship can open and weddings are allowed within local restrictions.
Hospitality venues must close, except for delivery and takeaway service.
Also in Tier 3, hotels and other accommodation providers must close, except for specific work purposes where people cannot return home.
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 or at most outdoor venues.
At other outdoor spaces such as parks or beaches people must not socialise in groups of more than six.
Everyone who can work from home should do so.
Outdoor sports, including golf and tennis can continue in all tiers, as can amateur team sports such as football. Unlike the first two tiers, spectators cannot watch sport in Tier 3.
You can travel within your area for work, education and care and medical reasons, but should avoid travelling outside your area and reduce the number of journeys you make wherever possible.
People in all tiers are advised to stay local, and if you travel, your restrictions follow you. For example, if you live in a Tier 3 area, you must continue to follow Tier 3 rules even when you travel to a Tier 1 or Tier 2 area.
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