Coronavirus tier system

The new national lockdown

The Prime Minister’s announcement on 4 January 2021 of a new national lockdown overrides the existing tier system of restrictions set out below.

We have been in touch with government officials to establish what this means for housing associations.

We have set out below the information applying to all tiers across England. You can skip ahead to your relevant tier by clicking on the links below.

• Tier 1 (medium alert)
• Tier 2 (high alert)
• Tier 3 (very high alert)
• Tier 4 (stay at home)

Tier 1 (medium alert)

Sheltered and supported housing

Visits to care homes can take place with arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods, and window visits. Close-contact indoor visits supported by testing can take place. Cafes and canteens can stay open, as can services providing food or drink to those experiencing homelessness. More details coronavirus guidance and information for supported housing providers is set out on our website. 

Travel between tiers

If you live in a tier 1 area and travel to an area in a higher tier, you should follow the rules for that area while you are there. Avoid travel to or overnight stays in tier 3 areas other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, because of caring responsibilities or to visit your support bubble. Avoid all travel to tier 4 areas other than for essential reasons. You can travel through a tier 3 or 4 area as part of a longer journey.

Gatherings

Socialising indoors and outdoors is limited to groups of 6 (the ‘rule of 6’), other than where a legal exemption applies.

Businesses and venues

Can remain open; early closure (11pm) applies to some entertainment venues such as cinemas and museums.

Hospitality

Businesses selling food or drink for consumption on their premises are required to:

• Provide table service only, for premises that serve alcohol
• Close between 11pm and 5am
• Stop taking orders after 10pm.

Businesses selling food and drink for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through.

Indoor and outdoor events

Public attendance is permitted, but is limited to whichever is lower: 50% capacity, or 4,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors.

Organised outdoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes

Can continue.

Organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes

Can continue if the rule of 6 is followed.

Tier 2 (high alert)

Sheltered and supported housing

Visits to care homes can take place with arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods, and window visits. Close-contact indoor visits supported by testing can take place. Cafes and canteens can stay open, as can services providing food or drink to those experiencing homelessness. More details coronavirus guidance and information for supported housing providers is set out on our website. 

Travel between tiers

If you live in a tier 2 area, you must continue to follow tier 2 rules when you travel to a tier 1 area. Avoid travel to or overnight stays in tier 3 areas other than where necessary. Avoid all travel to tier 4 areas other than for essential reasons. You can travel through a tier 3 or 4 area as a part of a longer journey.

Gatherings

You must not socialise indoors, whether at home or in a public place, with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble

Socialising outdoors is limited to the rule of 6.

Businesses and venues

Can remain open; early closure (11pm) applies to some entertainment venues such as cinemas and museums.

Hospitality

Pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants. Businesses can only serve alcohol with substantial meals.

Businesses selling food or drink for consumption on their premises are required to:

• Provide table service only, for premises that serve alcohol
• Close between 11pm and 5am
• Stop taking orders after 10pm

Businesses selling food and drink for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through

Indoor and outdoor events

Public attendance is permitted, but is limited to whichever is lower: 50% capacity, or 2,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors

Organised outdoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes

Can continue. 

Organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes

Will only be permitted if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with (or share a support bubble with).

Tier 3 (very high alert)

Sheltered and supported housing

Visits to care homes can take place with arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods, and window visits. Close-contact indoor visits supported by testing can take place. Cafes and canteens can stay open, as can services providing food or drink to those experiencing homelessness. More details coronavirus guidance and information for supported housing providers is set out on our website. 

Travel between tiers

If you live in a tier 3 area, avoid travelling outside of your area, including for overnight stays, other than where necessary. If you do travel to a lower tier, you must continue to follow tier 3 rules. Avoid all travel to tier 4 areas other than for essential reasons. You can travel through other areas as part of a longer journey.

Gatherings

You must not socialise indoors or in most outdoor places with anybody you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble.

Businesses and venues

Accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, and guest houses must close, but there are several exemptions including for those who use these venues as their main residence.

Indoor entertainment and tourist venues must close.

Indoor attractions at mostly outdoor entertainment venues must also close.

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

Hospitality

Hospitality settings, such as bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants must close, though they are permitted to continue sales by takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services.

Indoor and outdoor events

Cannot take place. 

Organised outdoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes

Can continue, however higher-risk contact activity should not take place.

Organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes

Cannot take place.

Tier 4 (stay at home)

Visiting relatives in care home

Visits to care homes can take place with arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods, or behind windows. Close-contact indoor visits supported by testing, which are allowed in Tiers 1-3, will not be allowed in Tier 4. The government guidance will be updated shortly clarifying how visits in Tier 4 should be conducted.

Gatherings and travel

If you live in a tier 4 area, you must not leave your home or garden except where you have a ‘reasonable excuse’ – these include for work (where you can’t work from home), volunteering, essential activities (for example buying food and medicine), fulfilling legal obligations, education and childcare, to visit people in your support bubble, to provide care for vulnerable people, and for medical reasons. You can continue to do unlimited outdoor exercise alone, or with your household, support bubble or one other person.
You must not leave your tier 4 area other than for legally permitted reasons.

Businesses and venues

All non-essential retail must close, but can continue to operate click-and-collect. Community centres and halls must also close except for a limited number of exempt activities

Hospitality

All hospitality settings, such as bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants must close, though they are permitted to continue sales by takeaway (until 11pm), click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services.

Indoor and outdoor events

Cannot take place.

Organised outdoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes

Cannot take place.

Organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes

Cannot take place.