Wakefield in Tier 3: New rules for pubs, restaurants, hotels and more as strictest Covid restrictions to be introduced in Wakefield, Pontefract and Castleford when national lockdown comes to an end in December

The new tiers, which were confirmed by the government this morning, will come into place on Wednesday, December 2, when the second national lockdown comes into effect.

The government described them as a "strengthened" version of the original tier system, which was introduced earlier this year.

Tier 3, known as the Very High alert level, will be introduced across Wakefield and West Yorkshire next month.

What is the current rate of infection in Wakefield?

Since March, there have been 13,050 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Wakefield district, including the Five Towns.

This is up from 8,349 at the start of the month.

The rate of new cases has fallen in the last few weeks, down from 463 per 100,000 on November 18 to 294 per 100,000 today (Thursday, November 26).

To date, 533 people have died at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals after testing positive for Covid-19. 140 of these deaths have occurred since the start of November.

What are the rules for Tier 3?

Under Tier 3 rules, people in Wakefield will not be allowed to meet socially indoors or in most outdoor places, including private gardens, with people who are not part of their household or support bubble.

In areas where people are allowed to meet socially, including parks, beaches and sports facilities, the rule of six remains in place.

Hospitality venues, such as bars, pubs and restaurants, will remain closed, though will be permitted to continue takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services.

Accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, and guest houses must close. There are several exemptions, such as for those who use these venues as their main residence, and those requiring the venues where it is reasonably necessary for work or education and training.

Indoor entertainment and tourist venues, including play areas, trampoline parks, casinos, bingo halls, bowling alleys, cinemas and theatres, must close.

And indoor attractions at mostly outdoor entertainment venues must also remain closed, though indoor shops, through-ways and public toilets at such venues can remain open.

Leisure and sports facilities may continue to stay open, but group exercise classes including fitness and dance should not go ahead.

Members of the public should not attend spectator sport or indoor performances and large business events should not be taking place, though elite sporting events can go ahead without spectators.

Large outdoor events, such as concerts, will not take place, with the exception of drive-in events.

Places of worship remain open, but you must not attend with or socialise with anyone outside of your household or support bubble while you are there.

Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees – 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions are not allowed, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies, 15 people can attend linked commemorative events.

You can find out more about the rules for other tiers here.

Are there exceptions in place?

Exceptions to the rules continue to apply to those who are part of a single household or have formed a support bubble with another household.

There are also exceptions for childcare, education and training, formal support groups, to allowed contact between parents and children in care or children who do not live with both their parents.

Alternative rules will be in place for five days over the Christmas period, allowing people to form separate bubbles with up to three households.