Q. What do the new COVID-19 alert levels mean?

A. Local COVID alert levels have been set by the government to give information for local authorities, residents and workers about what to do and how to manage the outbreak in their area. Local COVID alert levels are sometimes called ‘tiers’ or known as a ‘local lockdown’.

The government has introduced these to ensure the right levels of intervention in the right places to manage outbreaks. Working with local authorities, the approach has been simplified so that there are now 3 local COVID alert levels.

In the south Cumbria area, apart from Barrow, the alert level is medium (tier one).

This means:

lyou must not socialise in groups larger than 6, indoors or outdoors (other than where a legal exemption applies)

lbusinesses and venues can continue to operate, in a COVID-secure manner, other than those that remain closed in law

lcertain businesses are required to ensure customers only consume food and drink while seated, and must close between 10pm and 5am

lbusinesses and venues selling food for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through

lschools and universities remain open

lplaces of worship remain open, subject to the rule of 6

lweddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on numbers of attendees

lexercise classes and organised sport can continue to take place outdoors, or indoors if the rule of 6 is followed; there are exceptions for supervised activities for under-18s, and disability sport

You must: wear a face covering in those areas where this is mandated

You should continue to:

lfollow social distancing rules

lwork from home where you can effectively do so

lwhen travelling, plan ahead or avoid busy times and routes; walk or cycle if you can

Q. But what about in Barrow?

A. In Barrow the local COVID alert level is set at high (tier 2)

This is for areas with a higher level of infections where some additional restrictions are in place.

This means on top of restrictions in alert level medium:

lyou must not socialise with anybody outside of your household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place

lyou must not socialise in a group of more than 6 outside, including in a garden or other spaces like beaches or parks (other than where specific exemptions apply in law)

lbusinesses and venues can continue to operate, in a COVID-secure manner, other than those that remain closed in law

lcertain businesses are required to ensure customers only consume food and drink while seated, and must close between 10pm and 5am

lbusinesses and venues selling food for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through

lschools, universities and places of worship remain open

lweddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees

lexercise classes and organised sport can continue to take place outdoors; these will only be permitted indoors if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with or share a support bubble with; there are exceptions for supervised activities for under-18s, and disability sport

lyou can continue to travel to venues or amenities that are open, for work or to access education, but should look to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible

You must wear a face covering in those areas where this is mandated

You should continue to:

lfollow social distancing rules

lwork from home where you can effectively do so

lwalk or cycle where possible, or plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport

Please continue to follow the rules for our area to help protect you, your loved ones and the NHS.