England is set to return to a tiered form of lockdown when the national restrictions come to an end on December 2. 

Areas are placed in a tier from one to three, with tier 1 having the least restrictions and tier 3 having the most.

In tier 1, hospitality is able to serve alcohol without food until the 11pm curfew with different households also allowed to mix inside with the rule of six.

Whereas in tier 3 no indoor mixing is allowed and all hospitality settings must close except for takeaway.

But how is this decided?

The Department of Health said decisions on tier levels were based on a number of factors, including case detection rates in all age groups and, in particular, amongst the over 60s.

How quickly case rates are rising or falling.

The immediate impact on local NHS services and the projected impact are also taken into account.

The final decisions were made by the Prime Minister at the Covid Operations Committee.

When are tiers reviewed for change?

Areas can be moved up or down tiered restrictions depending on whether or not these indicators are improving or worsening.

If infection rates are rising and the pressure on local NHS services is increasing then an area may be moved up a tier.

Likewise an area may be moved down if these factors are easing and improving.

The tiers are set to be reviewed on December 16, but experts have warned that people must continue to face restrictions ahead of the UK-wide easing of measures over Christmas.

The health secretary, Matt Hancock, said: “Thanks to the hard work and sacrifice made by people up and down the country, we are able to move out of national lockdown and into more targeted local, tiered restrictions.

“I know for those of you faced with Tier 3 restrictions this will be a particularly difficult time but I want to reassure you that we’ll be supporting your areas with mass community testing and extra funding.

“By following the rules together we can get out of these tough measures.”