Oxford to Move to Tier 4 on Boxing Day 2020

The UK Government confirmed yesterday that Oxford city, and the rest of Oxfordshire will be moving to Tier 4 level restrictions from 00:01 on Boxing Day (Saturday 26 December 2020).

The latest COVID-19 data shows that the infection rate is 289 per 100,000 in Oxford – a 58% increase in the past week. Across Oxfordshire overall, the infection rate is 237 per 100,000 – an 86% increase over the past week.

On Saturday 19 December, the Government announced new Tier 4 measures being introduced to try and stop the spread of the new variant of COVID-19 from spreading beyond London and the South East.

If resident in a tier 4 region you must not travel to other areas, other than for legally permitted reasons, to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

What are the tier 4 rules pertinent to Sandfield Guest House?

  • Cafes, restaurants, bars and pubs must close but they can serve takeaways, click and collect and delivery orders.
  • People should not travel into a tier 4 area from another part of the UK, other than for permitted reasons such as work, education and for caring responsibilities.
  • Hotels and other guest accommodation should only open for those who have to travel for work purposes and for a limited number of other exemptions set out in law, such as where these act as someone’s main residence, where the person cannot return home or for providing accommodation or support to the homeless.
  • Communal spaces such as lounges or lobbies may remain open to guests but no food or drink should be served in these spaces, people should be encouraged not to gather and social distancing should be observed.
  • If you live in a Tier 4 area, you must not leave your home unless you have a reasonable excuse (e.g. for work or education purposes). If you need to travel you should stay local – meaning avoiding travelling outside of your village, town or the part of a city where you live – and look to reduce the number of journeys you make overall. The list of reasons you can leave your home and area include, but are not limited to:
    • work, where you cannot work from home
    • accessing education and for caring responsibilities
    • visiting those in your support bubble – or your childcare bubble for childcare
    • visiting hospital, GP and other medical appointments or visits where you have had an accident or are concerned about your health
  • You must stay at home and not leave your Tier 4 area, other than for legally permitted reasons such as:
    • travel to work where you cannot work from home
    • travel to education and for caring responsibilities
    • visit or stay overnight with people in your support bubble, or your childcare bubble for childcare purposes
    • attend hospital, GP and other medical appointments or visits where you have had an accident or are concerned about your health
    • to provide emergency assistance, and to avoid injury or illness, or to escape a risk of harm (such as domestic abuse)

    The full list of exceptions will be published in the Regulations.

  • You should not travel into a Tier 4 area from another part of the UK, other than for reasons such as:
    • travel to work where you cannot work from home
    • travel to education and for caring responsibilities
    • to visit (including staying overnight with) those in your support bubble – or your childcare bubble for childcare
    • to attend hospital, GP and other medical appointments or visits where you have had an accident or are concerned about your health

The full HM Government’s guidance for people who work in or run hotels & other guest accommodation can be found HERE.

HM Government’s Tier 4: Stay at Home regulations can be found HERE.

 

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Paul at Sandfield Guest House.

I’ll do my best to accommodate you within the regulations however exceptions to the rules WILL NOT be made in any circumstances.

Paul reserves the right to cancel any bookings or refuse any bookings which he feels do not comply with the regulations… they are, after all, designed to protect all of us.

Hoping you can have a happy Christmas & wishing you a peaceful New Year!