Bedford has been confirmed as emerging from lockdown on 2 December in Tier 2: High Alert.
Non-essential shops, gyms, hairdressers, barbershops and beauty parlours will be able to reopen from next week.
However, social mixing outside of households or support bubbles will not be allowed indoors. The rule of six will apply outdoors.
Indoor entertainment venues including cinemas, music venues and theatres may remain open, but must close their doors at 11pm.
Cinemas, theatres and concert halls can stay open beyond 11pm in order to conclude performances that start before 10pm
Tier 2 status means that only pubs that serve substantial meals will be able to reopen, adversely affecting popular Bedford pubs including The Devonshire Arms and the Wellington Arms.
Click on the thumbnails to see the restrictions in each tier
The government ‘postcode checker’ website confirms which areas are in which tier, although it became swamped straight after its launch, causing it to immediately crash.
Tiers will be reviewed on 16 December.
Commenting on the announcement, Mayor Dave Hodgson said: “The Government has introduced these new strengthened tiers regionally, with different tiers in place in different parts of the country.
“Bedford Borough has joined Central Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes in going into the Tier Two- High Alert level from Wednesday 2 December.”
The Mayor reminded Bedfordians that coronavirus is spread through social contact and mixing with others.
“That is why we are being asked to not mix indoors with other households that are not part of our support bubble, and to meet outdoors in groups of no more than six,” he said.
“Infections in Bedford Borough are still high so in the run-up to Christmas, please be cautious and do everything you can to keep slowing the spread of coronavirus.
“By minimising social contact with those outside of your household, by washing your hands regularly, wearing a face covering if you can, and keeping 2m apart from other people you will be helping to keep yourself, your friends and family, and your community safe.”
This story is on-going and we will update with comments from Bedford’s Mayor, MPs, business owners and health leaders as we receive them.
Updated at 14:42 with a quote from Mayor Dave Hodgson
Updated at 13:48 to correct the previous article and include the lines: ‘Indoor entertainment venues including cinemas, music venues and theatres may remain open, but must close their doors at 11pm.
‘Cinemas, theatres and concert halls can stay open beyond 11pm in order to conclude performances that start before 10pm’