HOTELS and B&Bs in Tier Three areas must close under current coronavirus restrictions, with a few exceptions.
The nation is now divided into a three-tier system with regions classed as either medium, high or very high risk and new areas have been put into Tier Three because of rising cases.
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The tier system has been in place since lockdown lifted in England on December 2.
Areas under Tier Three restrictions – which are deemed “very high risk” – face the toughest lockdown measures.
Tier Two areas are classed as “high” risk, while Tier One places are “medium” risk.
Greater London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire are being put into Tier Three because coronavirus cases are spiking in these areas.
Health secretary Matt Hancock confirmed the move into new tiers which will come into force from 12.01am Wednesday.
The full list of places going into Tier three from Wednesday are:
Businesses that break the rules in their area can face fines of up to £10,000, prosecution or closure.
Hotels in Tier Three areas must close under the current rules.
There are some exceptions and they can open for people in some circumstances, such as if you need to stay somewhere for work or if you need to attend a funeral.
People in Tier Three are not allowed to travel to other areas that are in lower tiers.
So if you live in Tier Three, you can’t travel to a hotel that is open in Tier Two or One and stay the night.
Hotels, B&Bs and holiday lets are closing but they can open for a person who:
They can also open:
Businesses that remain open in law, but are located within accommodation, such as a spa within a hotel, can remain open.
B&Bs in Tier Three must also close under the rules.
The same exceptions that apply for hotels apply to B&Bs too.
People in Tier Three should only travel when essential, so if you live in Tier Three, you can’t travel to a B&B that is open in Tier Two or One and stay over.
Again, holiday lets in Tier Three must close under the rules.
The same exceptions that apply for hotels and B&Bs apply to holiday lets too.
And people in Tier Three should only travel when essential, so you can’t visit a holiday let that is open in Tier Two or One.
It will be up to the hotel or accommodation that you booked with and their cancellation policy.
You need to contact them or the website you booked through to discuss your options.
For example, Britannia hotels is offering customers the chance to reorganise their stay – but they won’t be offering refunds.
Some hotels are considering refunds on a case-by-case basis.
What happens to shops, hairdressers and gyms in Tier 3? Here’s what’s open and closed explained.
Here is a full list of businesses that must close in very high alert areas due to new covid rules.
The Sun has a full list of all the Tier One, Tier Two and Tier Three areas in England.
