Swindon to move into Tier 4 as of 00:01 31st December 2020

Swindon, along with many other areas, enter Tier 4 restrictions as of 00:01 on the 31st December 2020. 

This means that non-essential retail must now close, there will be further restrictions on movement – with a “Stay at Home” rule in place unless there is a “reasonable excuse”.

We have summarised some of the key points from the advice published on GOV.UK below.

Some key personal restrictions include:

• Meeting each other safely – minimising time spent outside the home and only spending time with family or friends if they are part of your household or support bubble.
• Travel – travel is discouraged unless it is for legally permitted reasons such as: travelling to work where you cannot work from home, education, childcare purposes, medical reasons (attending hospital, GP appointments) and providing emergency assistance.

For businesses and the hospitality industry, the following are required to close:

• Non-essential retail – such as clothing and homeware stores (click and collect as well as delivery services are still available).
• Personal care facilities – hair and beauty services. These services are also not allowed to be provided in people’s homes.
• Hospitality venues (cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and clubs) – these venues must close but they are allowed to provide delivery or takeaway services if they are a food outlet.
• Accommodation (hotels, hostels, guest houses and campsites) – these are only open where there is the essential need to use them for work purposes.
• Leisure and sports facilities (such as gyms) as well as entertainment venues (concert halls, theatres, cinemas, museums & galleries).
• Indoor attractions at venues (botanical gardens, heritage homes and landmarks for instance) – although the outdoor grounds of such premises are allowed to remain open.