What tiers are Lewes and Wealden districts in and what does it mean for you? All you need to know

The three tier system will be largely the same as that seen before lockdown was introduced, with a few key changes.

This morning, the Department for Health confirmed the Lewes and Wealden districts will be placed into tier two – high alert – the same as the vast majority of the rest of the country.

Tier two is classed as high alert, for areas with ‘a higher or rapidly rising level of infection’.

The tiers will be reviewed every two weeks, meaning Worthing will find out on December 11 whether its tier will change.

The social guidelines for tier two are as follows:

- You must not socialise with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place

- You must not socialise in a group of more than 6 people outside, including in a garden or a public space – this is called the ‘rule of 6’

- Businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a COVID-Secure manner, other than those which remain closed by law, such as nightclubs

- Pubs and bars must close, unless 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, close between 11pm and 5am (hospitality venues in airports, ports, transport services and motorway service areas are exempt) and stop taking orders after 10pm

Hospitality businesses and venues selling food and drink 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

- Early closure (11pm) applies to casinos, cinemas, theatres, museums, bowling alleys, amusement arcades, funfairs, theme parks, adventure parks and activities, and bingo halls. Cinemas, theatres and concert halls can stay open beyond 11pm in order to conclude performances that start before 10pm

- Public attendance at outdoor and indoor events (performances and shows) is permitted, limited to whichever is lower: 50% capacity, or either 2,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors

- Public attendance at spectator sport and business events can resume inside and outside, subject to social contact rules and limited to whichever is lower: 50% capacity, or either 2,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors

- Places of worship remain open but you must not socialise with people from outside of your household or support bubble while you are indoors there, unless a legal exemption applies

- 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 such as wakes or stonesettings.

- Organised outdoor sport, and physical activity and exercise classes can continue

- Organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes will only be permitted 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 indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s, which can take place with larger groups mixing

- You can continue to travel to venues or amenities which are open, but should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible

- If you live in a tier 2 area, you must continue to follow tier 2 rules when you travel to a tier 1 area. Avoid travel to or overnight stays in tier 3 areas other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities.You can travel through a tier 3 area as a part of a longer journey

- For international travel see the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice for your destination and the travel corridors list

London has also been placed into tier two, while the highest risk areas in tier three include Greater Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds.

A spokesman for Lewes District Council said: “The tier 2 government announcement today for East Sussex will mean that as we follow the coronavirus restrictions, seasonal festivities will be different this year.

“However, our teams will continue to support the most vulnerable residents throughout the coming weeks and over the Christmas period.

“We will do this by maintaining our community hub operation and by supporting the work of our superb voluntary groups in local communities.

“Council officers will also continue to administer all available government funding support for businesses.

“These are very difficult times for everyone, but we will do everything possible to assist the people who need our help most.

“Local retailers have had a particularly tough time this year and we can all help them by shopping local in the run up to Christmas.

The district council has launched a new website to promote the wide array of local independent shops in the area. Visit www.shoplocal.info.