Reading is set to be placed in ‘tier one’ of a new triple-tier system determining Covid-19 restrictions in every area of England.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the new three-tier system at 3.35pm this afternoon.
Each tier will have different lockdown rules.
READ MORE: Pandemic sees Reading lose £29m from students not being in town
Areas in tier one (medium) will have the current national measures, such as the 10pm curfew and rule of six.
Tier two (high) will prevent mixing between households indoors, with the rule of six outdoors.
Finally, the third tier (very high) will also include closing bars, pubs, gyms and casinos.
Reading, West Berkshire, and Wokingham are all expected to be placed in tier one when the full list is revealed.
Mr Johnson said the new system will “simplify and standardise” local rules.
He said it aims to find a balance between those who want a national lockdown and those calling for restrictions to be removed, which would “let the virus rip”.
But Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, said that the government is “several steps behind the curve and running to catch up with the virus”.
READ MORE: Reading: Covid 19 cases ‘increasing sharply’
Reading, like most areas in the country, will be in tier one.
There have been 59 cases per 100,000 people recorded in the latest week of available date (Oct 2-8) in Reading, while the average area in England had 79, according to the BBC.
This compares to the 35.9 cases per 100,000 recorded in Reading from September 28 to October 4.
So far, the only area confirmed to be in tier three is the Liverpool City region, which includes Liverpool, as well as the local authority districts of Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens, and Wirral.
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