What are the rules of the three-tier system and what areas do they cover?

Greater Manchester joined the Liverpool City Region and Lancashire in the highest tier of England’s Covid-19 restrictions at midnight on Saturday, while other areas could soon be facing stricter rules.

Officials in Warrington are in discussion with the Government about a move to Tier 3 and parts of Nottinghamshire could also face more stringent measures aimed at halting the spread of coronavirus.

Elsewhere, people living in Stoke-on-Trent, Coventry and Slough moved into the Tier 2 “high” coronavirus level at one minute past midnight on Saturday.

Since October 12, England has been operating under a three-tier system of local restrictions which divides areas into different categories, labelled as medium, also known as Tier 1, high, also known as Tier 2, or very high risk, which is referred to as Tier 3.

But what are the differences between the tiers and how has the country been carved up?

Around 2.8 million people in Greater Manchester joined some 3.1 million in Lancashire and the Liverpool City Region already under the most severe restrictions in the early hours of Saturday.

In these areas, social mixing is banned both indoors and in private gardens, while pubs and bars must close unless they can operate as a restaurant.

The rule of six applies in some outdoor settings such as parks, public gardens and sports courts.

Local leaders help the Government to determine whether other venues should be closed, such as gyms or casinos.

In Greater Manchester, the new measures could lead to the closure of more than 1,800 pubs and 140 wine bars, as well as 277 betting shops and 12 casinos, according to the real estate adviser Altus Group.

Gyms in Merseyside are now allowed to reopen in line with other areas under the toughest local lockdown restrictions.

Gyms remain open in Lancashire but the adult gaming industry, casinos, bingo halls, bookmakers and betting shops, and soft play areas were made to shut.

Shops and places of worship can remain open, as can schools and colleges, while universities must reflect wider restrictions with the option to move to greater online provision.

Up to 15 guests are allowed at weddings and 30 people can attend funerals, with 15 allowed at wakes, but wedding receptions are not permitted.

Number 10 confirmed that, under Tier 2 and 3 rules on household mixing, people can still meet up for work meetings indoors under certain circumstances.

– What happens in Tier 2 and where is affected?

Areas categorised as high risk have restrictions on household mixing indoors while the rule of six continues to apply outdoors.

People must not meet socially with friends and family indoors in any setting unless they live with them or have formed a support bubble with them.

Up to 15 guests are allowed at weddings and up to 30 people allowed at funerals, with 15 allowed at receptions and wakes.

Travel advice for those living in Tier 2 areas is to reduce the number of journeys they take where possible and avoid travel into very high Tier 3 areas.

Areas in Tier 2 include Cheshire, Derbyshire, West Yorkshire, Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Tees Valley, West Midlands, and Leicestershire.

London, Essex, Elmbridge, Barrow-in-Furness, York, North East Derbyshire, Chesterfield and Erewash moved to Tier 2 last Saturday.

First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford confirmed a two-week “firebreak” lockdown in the country from Friday until November 9, and those living under Tiers 2 and 3 in England were already banned from travelling across the Welsh border from Friday last week.

– What restrictions are placed on areas in Tier 1?

Areas classed as medium risk, those in Tier 1, are subject to the same national measures which were commonplace across England earlier this year.

These include the 10pm curfew for pubs and restaurants and a ban on most gatherings of more than six people.

Up to 15 guests will be allowed at weddings and up to 30 people allowed at funerals, with 15 allowed at receptions and wakes.

Shops, gyms, all education settings, and places of worship will remain open, with overnight stays permitted and no travel restrictions within the area, although people are advised to avoid travel into Tier 3 areas where possible.