As was announced yesterday, Biddulph, along with the rest of Staffordshire, will follow Stoke-on-Trent into Tier 2 'High' restrictions from this weekend.

It means that from 12.01am on Saturday, 31st October - Halloween - the town will move up into the more severe level of restrictions, with new rules coming with it.

But what are the rules for Biddulph as it moves into Tier 2, and how will things be different to when the town was in Tier 1?

There are several restrictions which remain the same in both Tier 1 and Tier 2, such as:

• Businesses - Businesses can continue to remain open as long as they operate in a Covid-secure manner. The only exception to this is businesses which have already been required to remain closed, such as nightclubs.

• 10pm Curfew - Certain businesses selling food and drink must close between 10pm and 5am. Businesses can continue to serve after 10pm as long as it is through delivery, click and collect, or drive-thru.

• Education and worship - Schools, universities, and places of worship can remain open.

• Weddings and funerals - Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees

However, there is also a range of tighter restrictions that will come into effect from Saturday.

These are:

• Exercise and sport - In Tier 1, organised indoor sport and exercise classes can continue to take place, provided the 'rule of six' is followed. But in Tier 2, exercise classes and organised sport can largely only continue to take place outdoors. They will only be permitted indoors if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with those they do not live with or share a support bubble with, or for youth or disability sport.

• Household mixing - In Tier 1, people must not meet in groups larger than six, indoors or outdoors. But in Tier 2, people must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place. The 'rule of six' will continue to apply outdoors and in private gardens.

• Limiting travel - A new rule for Tier 2 is that people should aim to reduce the number of journeys they make where possible. If they need to travel, they should walk or cycle where possible, or plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport.

The new restrictions will come into force in Biddulph of the day of Halloween. But is trick or treating allowed in Tier 2?

There had been speculation over whether the Government would ban trick or treating this year, but no such action has been taken.

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister instead told people to "use common sense" when it comes to trick or treating.

They said: "The rules are there for all circumstances and people will have to use their common sense in ensuring they are following the rules."

Unlike in Tier 3, outdoor household mixing is allowed in Tier 2. This means trick or treating is allowed, as long as those taking part remain outdoors and follow the 'rule of six'.

The Prime Minister's spokesperson added: "If you're in a High Covid alert level then the rule of six applies in private gardens and outdoor spaces but households must not mix indoors."

Many people in Biddulph have been coming up with their own Covid-secure ways of celebrating Halloween, including organising online costume competitions, planning to leave sweets outside for children to collect without having to knock on doors, doing quizzes and taking part in pumpkin trails.

For more information about Halloween activities for children in Biddulph, join the Chasing Rainbows Biddulph group on Facebook.