The Wiltshire Council local authority area has been confirmed to be in the Government’s Covid-19 Tier 2 ‘high’ category, which will replace the national restrictions on 2nd December. 
This is a different Tier that the county was in prior to the current national restrictions and it means from 2nd December:
- People must not socialise with anyone they do not live with or who is not in their support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place.
- People must also not socialise in a group of more than six people outside, including in a garden or public space.
- Businesses and venues can remain open in a Covid secure manner, other than those which are closed by law.
- Pubs and bars must close, unless they are operating as restaurants.
- Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals.
- Hospitality businesses selling food or drink for consumption on their premises are required to provide table service only. In premises which sell alcohol, they need to close between 11pm and 5am with some exemptions, and stop taking orders after 10pm
- Education settings remain open
- Council services such as leisure centres and libraries will be able to open their doors to the public again. Leisure centres are due to open on 3rd December and a date for libraries to reopen will be confirmed in due course.
- Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on numbers of attendees – 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies and receptions, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies, and 15 people can attend linked commemorative events.
- Outdoor street markets will be able to sell full range of items, not just food
- Places of worship remain open, but people must not attend or socialise in groups of more than six people while there, unless there’s a legal exemption.
Earlier in the week, the Prime Minister confirmed that more areas will be in a higher category than there were before.
This week, the Government also confirmed that regardless of Tier, three households can form a Christmas bubble between 23rd to the 27th December. Once this bubble has been formed, it cannot be changed.
Cllr Philip Whitehead, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said, “ It is disappointing, but not surprising, that we find ourselves in a higher Tier than before. We have been planning for such an eventuality and we want to reassure residents and businesses that we are here to help them get through this.
“COVID-19 is still very prevalent and will be here for some time to come, so I advise everyone to keep social distancing, have good hand hygiene, wear a mask and self-isolate when required to do so. If we maintain that behaviour and everyone plays their part, then there’s no reason why we can’t move to the lowest Tier and then eventually get to the other side of this.”
Wiltshire Council has arranged another online COVID-19 public update to talk people through everything they need to know and answer questions. It takes place on 8th December at 5pm and Wiltshire Council Leader, Cllr Philip Whitehead, will once again be joined by Terence Herbert, Chief Executive of Wiltshire Council, and Kate Blackburn, Director of Public Health to help guide people through the latest information and regulations. Residents can submit their questions about COVID-19 and the local response in advance by emailing communications@wiltshire.gov.uk no later than 5pm on Sunday 6th December. The live briefing will be broadcast via Microsoft Teams and viewers should use this link to access the broadcast.
Anyone can access the Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub who may be struggling during this difficult time. This may include those who are self-isolating and don’t have a support network around them or know where to get help. People can call the hub on 0300 003 4576 or email wellbeinghub@wiltshire.gov.uk Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. People should be aware the opening hours will be regularly reviewed throughout the coming weeks and months.
There is also a range of Government business support schemes to support businesses during the COVID-19 restrictions. All the details can be found at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/business-advice-support-covid19-grants. People can also email any queries to covid-19businesssupport@wiltshire.gov.uk
For the latest information on COVID-19 and all the support available, and more information on the Tiers, people should visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/public-health-coronavirus
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