BASINGSTOKE has been placed in the high alert category after lockdown.

The borough will join the rest of Hampshire in tier 2 once the current lockdown restrictions end.

The government announced that the vast majority of England will be in the same tier on December 3.

Before lockdown, the county was in tier 1.

It means stricter measures for residents across Hampshire when lockdown ends than before it started.

Basingstoke Gazette: Basingstoke faces another period of restrictions as it has been placed in Tier 2Basingstoke faces another period of restrictions as it has been placed in Tier 2

Here is what the tier 2 restrictions are:

  • All businesses and venues not currently shut expected to stay open.
  • Pubs and restaurants are allowed to reopen but only if they serve substantial meals. Restricted to own household and table service only.
  • Curfew to be extended, with last orders called at 10pm. 
  • Household bubbles only allowed indoors, but rule of six expected to continue outdoors.
  • Places of worship to reopen, with people required to remain in their own household bubbles.
  • Gyms to reopen, with outdoor and grassroots and children’s team sports back on.
  • Sports events will be able to welcome back fans at 50 per cent of stadium capacity, or 2,000 people, whichever is lower.
  • Cinemas to reopen.
  • Non-essential retail to reopen.

If you live in a tier 2 area, you must continue to follow the rules when you travel to a tier 1 area - which are the Isle of Wight, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

The government are advising people to avoid travel or overnight stays in a tier 3 area other than where absolutely necessary.

In the South East, only Slough and the Kent and Medway areas have been placed in the strictest tier.

In the South West, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset are in tier 3.