MALDON will be placed back into Tier Two 'High' level restrictions when national lockdown, it has been announced.

The news was due to be announced by Health Secretary Matt Hancock in Parliament this morning (Thursday, 26 November) – but came via a Government website minutes ahead of Mr Hancock's statement.

The news that Essex will go into Tier Two comes as something of a shock as Essex County Council had hoped the area would be placed in Tier One at the end of lockdown.

The new rules will come into effect when the current national lockdown ends at midnight on Wednesday, 2 December. At this time, non-essential shops, as well as gyms, hairdressers and beauty salons in in all tiers can re-open. Places of worship will be open and weddings can resume, operating within local restrictions.

Support bubbles

Support bubbles where a single-person household joins with another household of any size are also being allowed across all tiers. A person with a child under one counts as a single-person household for support bubble purposes, as does a person with a child under five who needs continuous care, such as those with disabilities. This also applies to single adult carers of a person with, for example, dementia, where they would also be eligible to form a support bubble with another household.

The new Tier Two rules are as follows:

Hospitality businesses can remain open until 11pm with last orders at 10pm, but only those businesses which also serve substantial meals will be allowed to open.

Mixing of households, unless in support bubbles, will not be allowed indoors. The 'rule of six' will apply outdoors.

Spectator sport can resume with social distancing and limited numbers. With Tier Two restrictions there will be a maximum crowd outdoors of up to 50 per cent of the occupancy for the stadium up to a maximum 2,000 people. There is a limit of 1,000 people indoors.

Indoor entertainment venues such as bowling alleys, casinos and cinemas must remain closed in this tier.

The tiers will be reviewed after 14 days.

Maldon Nub News will bring you more news as it becomes available.