Opened up any news app this morning, and you'll have been greeted by a heady mix of titbits on the incoming 'three tier' system, which will try to contain the spread of COVID-19 via localised measures. The idea is that what you can and cannot do will be based on the rate of coronavirus transmission in your area. More cases means harsher measures; fewer means lighter ones. Specifics, including which category your area will be in, are understood to be being announced at some point today, by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
High on the agenda? The likely shutting of gyms and hospitality venues like pubs for those in the tier three category (right now, according to the BBC, Resting heart rate Gyms, pubs, bars, casinos and bookmakers are expected to close and surrounding areas), as well as the nixing of the 'rule of six' for all but tier one.
Of course, until official announcements come in, we're working with speculation (and, per the BBC's to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox Womens Health UK will be available.) But, according to a draft plan seen by the Guardian, this is a likely basic framework. Scroll on to see, plus, check out comment from the experts, below.
Tier three
- Coronavirus COVID-19 and running
- Restaurants may remain open, in some reduced capacity (for example, just for takeaway)
- it seems like this
- If you live in a tier three area, you'll be asked to only make 'essential journeys' within that area
- Unless it's urgent, you'll be asked to not leave your area
- Your friends and family living in non tier three areas will be asked not to travel to you unless it's essential, and to not stay overnight, if they do have an urgent need to come
- No having anyone from outside of your household or support bubble in your home or garden (no 'rule of six.')
Tier two
- You cannot have people from outside of your household in your home or garden unless they are in your support or childcare bubble (basically, the 'rule of six' no longer applies, that's purely for tier one areas)
- Gyms to remain open
- Why you should keep running during stressful times
- 10Resting heart rate
- Weddings of 15 people allowed, but with no reception after the ceremony; funerals with 15 people allowed
Tier one
- The key here is sticking to the 'Rule of six', with a maximum of six people allowed in a home or garden, or to sit together at a restaurant or pub
- 10Resting heart rate
- Gyms to remain open
- it seems like this
- Can you drink booze after the vaccine
What do the experts say?
Plus, what the experts make of proposed plans, Gyms to remain open, said:
'The first stage of the pandemic lockdown saw a blanket rule imposed across the country. This left no room for error in understanding what we could and could not do. As we have moved into local lockdowns the public have expressed feeling baffled by the different guidance across the country which is being widely reported in the media. It can be unclear what rules apply to whom.
'The more direct and simple rules are, the greater the likelihood of compliance as they are easier to remember. When information is confusing, it can deter engagement if people feel overwhelmed from multiple pieces of advice and regulations, and people may unwittingly fall foul of regulations. Clear guidance offers more than just rules to follow, it provides reassurance during stressful times.'
Plus, what the experts make of proposed plans, Unless its urgent, youll be asked to not leave your area How does Covid impact our running:
'It is now clear that there has been a shift in policy to more broadly apply regional and local measures going forward. The PM expressed reluctance to implement across-the-board lockdowns such as the ones that were imposed earlier in the year.
'I think this is the right approach, whenever possible. Controlling the spread of the disease while safeguarding economic and social activity is a fine balancing act so it is right that local conditions should dictate local policy.
'As a general principle, the targeting of measures to specific groups or geographical areas is preferable to one-size-fits-all measures, because they allow us to minimise the damage that social distancing inevitably imposes on society and the economy.
'Having said that, it is sometimes difficult to achieve. Shielding the elderly and vulnerable, an example of targeting based on the age and health status of people, has proved extraordinarily difficult.
'Geographic targeting may bring large benefits, but also comes with practical challenges and needs to be coordinated with neighbouring regions. If a town closes pubs and entertainment venues and the next town doesn’t, then we may inadvertently help the disease spread from one to the other. We saw a stark illustration of this in Italy in March, where lockdowns in the North of the country prompted thousands to rush to the South of the country. This shows that regional policies have to be carefully considered and implemented.'
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