UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed the tiered coronavirus restrictions have an expiry date of 2 February and can only be extended further with the backing of MPs.
He said in parliament today (1 December): "These regulations come with a sunset clause of the end of 2 February, and at that point we will have sufficient data to assess our position after Christmas.
"Though I believe these types of restrictions will be needed until the spring, they can only be extended beyond 2 February if this house votes for them."
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MPs are voting today on the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (All Tiers) (England) Regulations 2020, which will come into force tomorrow (2 December).
The law will put 99 percent of England into Tiers 2 and 3, both of which now include tougher restrictions than the previous tiered system in England.
Greater Manchester has been placed back into Tier Three, along with Hull, Newcastle, Birmingham, and Wolverhampton.
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While London and Liverpool have escaped the tightest restrictions, with both cities going into Tier Two.
You can read a full list of which areas are in which tiers here. The restrictions will be reviewed every two weeks for each area, with the first review on 16 December.
Tomorrow, non-essential shops, hairdressers and gyms are set to reopen as the national lockdown comes to an end.
Pubs will be able to open in Tiers 1 and 2 with no orders to be taken after 10pm, although in Tier 2 pubs can only serve alcohol with a 'substantial meal'.
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In Tier 3, pubs can only open for takeaway and delivery services.
Between 23 and 27 December, the tiered system will be temporarily relaxed for Christmas, allowing three households to meet indoors.
The rules state that you can travel to form a bubble of three households, who don't have to social distance and can go to places of worship together. However - bubbles will not be able to gather in a hospitality setting.
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Bubbles must not be changed or extended further at any point.
A joint statement released between the four devolved UK nations says: "As 2020 draws to a close, we recognise it has been an incredibly difficult year for us all.
"We have all had to make significant sacrifices in our everyday lives, and many religious and community groups have already had to change or forgo their customary celebrations to slow the spread of coronavirus and save lives.
"This cannot be a 'normal' Christmas. But as we approach the festive period, we have been working closely together to find a way for family and friends to see each other, even if it is for a short time, and recognising that it must be both limited and cautious.
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"Even where it is within the rules, meeting with friends and family over Christmas will be a personal judgment for individuals to take, mindful of the risks to themselves and others, particularly those who are vulnerable."
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: UK News