THE whole of Dorset will be placed in tier 2 of the new coronavirus restrictions when lockdown ends on December 2.

The county was previously in Tier 1 before the latest national lockdown came into force on November 5.

Both BCP Council and Dorset Council areas will come under the Tier 2 measures.

Each area will be placed into one of three tiers when lockdown ends on December 2 – but the system has been toughened from the previous regime, meaning more authorities will move into the higher tiers.

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Only the Isle of Wight, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have been placed in the lowest Tier 1 set of restrictions, with people in all other parts of England set to face more serious limits to their freedom.

Large swathes of the Midlands, North East and North West are in the most restrictive Tier 3, but London will be in Tier 2.

Areas which make progress in slowing the spread of the virus could still be moved down a tier before Christmas.

The first review of the allocations is due to take place by December 16.

Those in Tier 2 will have to follow these rules:

• Meeting friends and family: No mixing of households indoors, apart from support bubbles. Maximum of six outdoors.

• Bars, pubs and restaurants: Pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals. Venues must stop taking orders at 10pm and must close by 11pm.

• Retail: Open.

• Work and business: Everyone who can work from home should do so.

• Education: Early years settings, schools, colleges and universities will be open. Childcare, other supervised activities for children and childcare bubbles permitted.

• Indoor leisure: Open.

• Accommodation: Open.

• Personal care: Open.

• Overnight stays: Permitted with household or support bubble.

• Weddings and funerals: 15 guests for weddings, civil partnerships, wedding receptions and wakes, 30 for funerals.

• Entertainment: Open.

• Places of worship: Open, but cannot interact with anyone outside household or support bubble.

• Travelling: Reduce the number of journeys you make and walk or cycle if possible. Avoid busy times and routes on public transport. Avoid car sharing with those outside of your household or support bubble. Avoid travelling into a Tier 3 area, other than where necessary such as for work or education. Further exemptions apply.

• Exercise: Classes and organised adult sport can take place outdoors, but cannot take place indoors if there is any interaction between people from different households. Organised activities for elite athletes, under-18s and disabled people can continue.

• Residential care: Covid-secure arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods and window visits. Outdoor/airtight visits only (rollout of rapid testing will enable indoor visits including contact).

• Large events: Sport, live performances and business meetings limited to 50 per cent capacity of 2,000 people outdoors (whichever is lower) and 50 per cent capacity or 1,000 people indoors (whichever is lower).

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