People in Wokingham will live under Tier 2 restrictions when the four-week national lockdown ends.

The government has decided to impose Tier 2 (high alert) restrictions on every area of Berkshire, except Slough which has been placed in Tier 3 (very high alert).

The government website states there is “an improving picture across the area with the exception of Slough and Reading”.

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Health secretary Matt Hancock said: "While all three tiers are less stringent than the national lockdown we’re living in now, to keep people safe and to keep the gains that are being made more areas than before will be in the top two tiers.”

Wokingham’s seven-day infection rate (109.3 cases per 100,000) is much lower than the national average (209.1) and it has been falling steadily over the last two weeks.

No major concerns have been raised about capacity at local hospitals or the percentage of tests that are coming back positive (6.6 per cent) in the borough.

The new restrictions will allow people in Wokingham to meet up in groups of six outside from December 2, but they will not be allowed to mix indoors.

Pubs and bars can only open if they are operating as a restaurant and serving “substantial meals” with alcohol. They must stop taking orders after 10pm and shut at 11pm.

Non-essential shops, gyms, leisure centres, hairdressers, cinemas, casinos and theatres will be allowed to reopen.

People will also be able to attend places of worship, weddings (maximum of 15 at the ceremony), sports matches and live performances, but numbers will be restricted.

The restrictions will be reviewed every 14 days.

Today, the government announced which restrictions will be imposed on each area of the country following the second national lockdown.

Mr Hancock said: “The national measures have successfully turned the curve and begun to ease pressure on the NHS.

“Cases are down by 19 per cent from a week ago and daily hospital admissions have fallen 7 per cent in the last week.

“January and February are always difficult months for the NHS, so it is vital that we safeguard the gains we have made.”