Following the announcement by Health Secretary Matt Hancock this morning (November 26th), Biddulph and indeed the rest of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent have been escalated to the Tier Three 'Very High' alert in the UK Government's three-tier Coronavirus system.

Before the second national lockdown, which began in early November, the town had just been placed into the Tier Two 'High' alert, after previously being in the Tier One 'Medium' alert.

The announcement by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday (November 23) that the country would return to the tiered system also came with some alterations to the rules in each tier.

As of Thursday, December 3rd the new restrictions will come into place.

From this date, retail outlets will be allowed to open but pubs and restaurants will not.

The following rules will also apply to the people of Biddulph:

• Households will not be allowed to mix indoors or outdoors in private gardens or hospitality venues.

• The 'Rule of Six' will apply outdoors in public spaces.

• Pubs and restaurants will be closed except for takeaway and delivery.

• Indoor entertainment venues will be closed, only drive-in events allowed.

• Guidance against travelling outside the area

• Schools will remain open.

• Weddings and Civil Ceremonies allowed 15 guests, but receptions not allowed

• Up to 30 people allowed at funerals.

• Outdoor sport can recommence; indoor sport is only permissible with members of one household.

The new rules and the tiers will be assessed regularly, the first being on December 16th.

The UK Government has also announced special rules for the festive period.

The new rules will mean that between December 22 and 28 three households will be allowed to mix indoors in a temporary 'Christmas Bubble.'

There is no maximum number of people in England for these temporary bubbles, and groups will be allowed to meet in each other's homes, public spaces, and at a place of worship.

It is clear however that the bubbles are fixed, and they cannot vary on each day of the festive period. If you meet with two other households on the 22, you cannot meet with another two on a different day.

Furthermore, if you have already formed a support bubble with another household, then that counts as one household under the 'Christmas Bubble' rules.

The Government's full Winter Plan can be found here.