CASINOS, bowling alleys and cinemas are to stay shut in areas where coronavirus infections are highest, the Prime Minister has announced.
Boris Johnson announced the new rules for areas which are in Tier three, where pubs, restaurants and theatres must also stay closed.
It comes following fears by No10 that coronavirus “could quickly run out of control again”.
Indoor gym classes and gigs are also banned in areas where coronavirus cases are high.
Pubs and restaurants in Tier 3 areas will be closed – but they can still offer takeaway, delivery or drive-thru.
But gyms, hairdressers and beauty salons will be allowed to reopen next Thursday.
Delivering a statement in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister, said: “This will be a hard winter. Christmas cannot be normal and there’s a long road to Spring.
“But we have turned a corner and and escape route is in sight.
“We must hold out against the virus until testing and vaccines come to the rescue.”
The government is expected to reveal the tier locations later this week, with reports suggesting that London will stay in Tier 2.
Full list of business that must close in Tier 3
THIS is the list of businesses that must close in Tier 3 areas.
- Pubs and restaurants (unless operating takeaway, delivery or drive-thru)
- Casinos
- Cinemas
- Bowling Alleys
- Theatres
- Soft play areas
- Museums and galleries
- Live sport venues
Pubs and restaurants in Tier 2 will be allowed to open next Wednesday – but only if they serve a "substantial mean" with alcohol.
Punters will only be able to dine in with people in their bubbles, but can sit outside with people outside their household under the "rule of six".
They will have to call last orders at 10pm but you'll still get an hour to finishup drinks and food.
Boris Johnson also announced today:
- The Tiers system will be significantly toughened up – with new rules for Tier 2 and 3 but NO Tier 4
- Households will be only able to meet up in Tier 3 in outdoor spaces like parks
- Pubs and restaurants in the top Tier will have to stay shut – but drive-thrus and deliveries can continue
- Tier 2 pub rules will be toughened, with only places serving food with drinks allowed
- Casinos, bowling alleys and cinemas in Tier 3 will have to stay shut
- Gyms and beauty salons can open across the nation – and all shops will open their doors again
- Brits will be able to go to see Boxing Day football matches in the lower tiers
- Elderly Brits will be able to come out of care homes to spend Christmas with the family if everyone tests negative-
- New parents with a kid under one will be allowed to form support bubbles
More than 70 Tory MPs said they will oppose the new rules amid claims the hospitality sector had been treated as a "sacrificial lamb" to allow other sectors to survive.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak had reportedly argued for pubs and restaurants to be removed from the tier system on December 22, two days earlier than the relaxing of the rules for Christmas.
However, he appears to have been overruled by Mr Johnson as scientific advisers said hospitality businesses were responsible for a significant spread of the virus.
But The Sun revealed last week rules will be relaxed for five days from Christmas Eve until the delayed Boxing Day Bank Holiday on 28 December.
Yesterday Mr Gove announced there would be “limited additional household bubbling for a small number days” with a cap of three households coming together expected.
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