Non-essential shops, fairs and markets are closed in tier 4 for England and also in much of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The UK government announced last month that businesses in various areas in England in tier 4 including “non-essential retail and auction houses (except for auctions of livestock or agricultural equipment) and market stalls selling non-essential goods” will close to the public but “can continue to be able to operate click-and-collect (where goods are pre-ordered and collected off the premises) and delivery services”.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport confirmed to ATG that shops and auction houses can “continue to operate under tier 4 regulations via click and collect only. Items must be collected from the front door and the public are not permitted to go inside”. For other regions of England there are different regulations, such as shops and auction houses can remain open for the public in tiers 1-3.
Devolved nations have different rules. In Northern Ireland from December 26 all non-essential retail businesses closed. In Scotland new restrictions took effect from December 26 that last for three weeks. Every part of mainland Scotland will be in level 4. Non-essential retail will have to close. In Wales a lockdown with non-essential shops closed began on December 28.
Meanwhile, Ireland returned to its highest level lockdown – level 5 – on December 24 but non-essential shops will be allowed to remain open. The measures will remain in place until at least January 12.
Read more about the latest restrictions here.
Check the relevant government websites for further updates.
