Fear For Tiers

Rules to be set out today. ‘Xmas break cost is 3rd wave’

- Mikey Smith Political Correspondent

Families learn today which Covid-19 tier they will be in when lockdown ends on December 2 – amid fears everyone will be in Tier 2 or 3.

Two separate Government sources told the Mirror it was now “possible” that no regions would initially be put in Tier 1, which a study shows was largely ineffective in tackling the pandemic.

With the nation still hoping for some normality at Christmas, officials warned the public to avoid socialising for a month in exchange for a five-day break from pandemic rules.

But scientists warned relaxing restrictions over the holiday period is likely to spark a third wave of the virus. It came as the UK recorded 696 coronavirus deaths yesterday – the highest daily toll since 726 on May 5.

There were also 18,213 new infections and the overall death toll hit 56,533.

Last night, regional leaders waited to hear their tier allocation.

Tiers 2 and 3 would ban family gatherings until Christmas for virtually the whole country.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said it was “more likely than not” the city would be in Tier 3. He added: “I think it is fair to say we are heading at some speed to Tier 3, Tier 2 borderline, given the figures.

“Tier 3, in my view, is too punishing on hospitality and will be too hard on city centres, particularly as we go through Christmas and the New Year.”

And with seven days left to prepare for the new tiers, he was among Metro mayors frustrated at feeling excluded from decisions in Westminster. He said:“We don’t know what tier we will be in, that still has not been communicated.”