Are shops, hairdressers and gyms open in Tier 3? What’s open and closed explained

NEW areas are moving into Tier 3 from this weekend, the highest level of restrictions under the three-tier system.

But what does that mean for going to shops, hairdressers and gyms? Here are the Tier 3 rules explained.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

Health Secretary Matt Hancock today confirmed in a House of Commons statement that much of the south east of England will be going into strict Tier 3 measures from 12.01am this Saturday.

It comes as coronavirus cases in this part of the country are up 46% in the last week, Mr Hancock said this afternoon.

Greater London and parts of Essex were put into Tier 3 yesterday, December 16, because coronavirus cases are spiking in these areas.

But in good news, Bristol and North Somerset will move from Tier 3 to Tier 2, also on Saturday. Herefordshire will also go from Tier 2 to Tier 1.

The tier system has been in place since lockdown lifted in England on December 2.

The full list of places going into Tier 3 from 12.01am this Saturday are:

• Bedfordshire
• Buckinghamshire
• Berkshire
• Peterborough
• Hertfordshire
• Surrey (with the exception of Waverly)
• Hastings and Rother
• Portsmouth
• Gosport
• Havant

The places moving down a Tier from 12.01am this Saturday are:

• Bristol and North Somerset come out of Tier 3 into Tier 2
• Herefordshire comes out of Tier 2 and into Tier 1

Areas under Tier 3 restrictions are deemed “very high risk” and face the toughest lockdown measures.

Tier 2 areas are classed as “high” risk, while Tier 1 places are “medium” risk.

Businesses that break the rules in their area face fines of up to £10,000, prosecution or closure.

The full list of places that went into Tier 3 on December 16 are:

Which areas are under Tier 3 lockdown restrictions?

The locations above have joined the following places which were already in Tier 3 (very high alert).

Bristol are North Somerset will move from Tier 3 to Tier 2 from 12.01am this Saturday.

North East

• Tees Valley Combined Authority:
• Hartlepool
• Middlesbrough
• Stockton-on-Tees
• Redcar and Cleveland
• Darlington
• North East Combined Authority:
• Sunderland
• South Tyneside
• Gateshead
• Newcastle upon Tyne
• North Tyneside
• County Durham
• Northumberland

North West

• Greater Manchester
• Lancashire
• Blackpool
• Blackburn with Darwen

Yorkshire and The Humber

• The Humber
• West Yorkshire
• South Yorkshire

West Midlands

• Birmingham and Black Country
• Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
• Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull

East Midlands

• Derby and Derbyshire
• Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
• Leicester and Leicestershire
• Lincolnshire

South East

• Greater London
• Basildon
• Brentwood
• Harlow
• Epping Forest
• Castle Point
• Rochford
• Braintree & Chelmsford
• Thurrock and South End on Sea Borough councils 
• Broxbourne
• Heartsmere
• Watford and the three river local authority
  Slough (remainder of Berkshire is tier 2: High alert)
• Kent and Medway

South West

• Bristol (being moved down to Tier 2 from this Saturday)
• South Gloucestershire
• North Somerset (being moved down to Tier 2 from this Saturday)

Can hairdressers and beauticians stay open in Tier 3 areas?

Yes, hairdressers can stay open in Tier 3 areas.

It's different to previous lockdowns where hairdressers were forced to close - leaving Brits going months without a professional haircut.

Barbers, beauty salons, tattoo parlours, nail salons, spas and beauty services, saunas, steam rooms, massage parlours and tanning salons can all also remain open.

Can shops stay open in Tier 3 areas?

Shops can stay open in Tier 3 areas and that includes non-essential stores too.

That means clothes shops, toy stores and department stores can stay open and you can visit the high street to do your Christmas shopping in Tier 3 areas as well.

Retail premises within hotels and other accommodation can also open.

But shops that are situated inside closed premises that cannot be accessed directly from the street have to stay shut.

When England was placed in a full lockdown in November, only essential retailers like supermarkets could stay open.

Can gyms stay open in Tier 3 areas?

Gyms were closed across England as part of the second lockdown, but now we've moved to the tier system, they can stay open in all areas, including Tier 3.

There will be some restrictions in place, for instance, indoor group classes are banned, including fitness and dance classes.

You can continue to do unlimited exercise alone, or in an outdoor public place in groups of up to six.

There are exceptions for the following, which can take place in any number:

• disability sport
• sports as part of the curriculum in education
• supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s (including those who were under 18 on 31 August 2020).

Can pubs, restaurants and cafes stay open in Tier 3 areas?

Hospitality settings, such as bars (including shisha bars), pubs, cafes, restaurants, and social clubs must close except for takeaway, delivery and click and collect services.

This includes restaurants and bars within hotels or member’s clubs.

Businesses and venues selling drinks can continue to do so as long as this is through takeaway, delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through.

Food or alcohol purchased from a hospitality premises via takeaway or click-and-collect may not be consumed on any part of that premises, including beer gardens, as well as adjacent seating.

Can bookies stay open in Tier 3 areas?

Yes, betting shops can stay open in Tier 3 areas but they'll need to have Covid-secure measures.

This includes limits on customers, the removal of chairs and a ban on live sport being shown.

Unlike bookies, casinos are not allowed to reopen in Tier 3 places.

What other businesses can stay open in Tier 3 areas?

The following businesses and places will also stay open in Tier 3 areas:

• Supermarkets
• Schools
• Universities
• Colleges
• Outdoor tourism and entertainment venues
• Outdoor cinemas, theatres and concert venues can remain open for drive-in only, but must close at 11pm except to finish shows that started before then
• Outdoor events, such as funfairs can continue to happen in line with Covid-secure guidance – other than large outdoor performance events (performances, shows and screenings), which must be drive-in only
• Community centres and halls, and libraries can remain open
• Recycling and waste centres, car parks, and public toilets may continue to stay open

Here's everything you need to know about the rules for Tier 3 lockdown areas.

These are the full list of businesses that must close in Tier 3 areas on very high alert.

Keep an eye on our coronavirus page for the latest updates.