Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that England will exit its national lockdown on 2 December and return to the tiered system that was in place prior to locking down on 5 November. The tiered system will involve different restrictions for different areas of the country based on factors such as case numbers, reproduction rate, and pressure on the local NHS.
In order to prevent the further spread of Covid-19, certain measures across the tiers have been strengthened. However, the Prime Minister has also announced that some restrictions will be eased. For example, all forms of retail will be allowed to open in all regions, regardless of their tier. Betting shops, which were closed during lockdown and in tier three regions, will be able to remain open. On the other hand, leisure facilities will need to close if their local area is placed in tier three, causing casinos to temporarily shut until the area is downgraded to at least tier two.
Another major change announced by the Prime Minister is the allowance for fans to attend sports events for the first time since March. This will be restricted to venues in tier one or two, with a maximum of 4,000 fans or 50% of a venue’s capacity allowed into outdoor stadiums in tier one, and 2,000 spectators in tier two. However, sporting venues will remain closed to fans in tier three for the foreseeable future. Indoor sporting events in tiers one and two can host a maximum of 1,000 fans or 50% of stadium capacity, whichever is lower.
The tiered system will remain in place until at least March, and the government will announce which areas are placed into which tiers later this week. The Prime Minister has warned that more areas may be put into higher tiers than before the lockdown. Additionally, discussions have been held with ministers in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland about a wider relaxation of rules over the Christmas period, allowing more indoor mixing for a set number of days. However, all other restrictions will remain in place and each country will return to its previous system after this period ends.
Reflecting on the news that betting shops can reopen across England, Michael Dugher, the chief executive of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), expressed relief for the sector regarding job losses. Dugher stated that betting shops would adhere to strict anti-Covid measures and that the reopening would contribute to the country’s economic recovery.
However, Dugher criticized the government’s decision to close casinos and leisure venues in tier three regions, arguing that there is no evidence that such facilities contribute significantly to the spread of Covid-19. He called for the full and safe reopening of casinos across the country.
Dugher also highlighted the importance of fans returning to sports events for the recovery of the horse racing sector. Major organizations in the racing sector, including the British Horseracing Authority, expressed their support for the decision and emphasized their commitment to ensuring the safety of fans. Racecourses in England will now be able to gradually reopen facilities for race-goers, hospitality guests, and owners, which is viewed as a positive development in the industry’s recovery phase.
Overall, the changes announced by the Prime Minister regarding the exit from lockdown and the tiered system have both positive and negative implications for various sectors, with a focus on preventing the spread of Covid-19 while allowing for some easing of restrictions.
