After a regional area tier system set up by the UK government to protect citizens from the Coronavirus came into force last Monday, it seems Liverpool is under the cosh once again.
Hospitality Hit Again
Despite the hospitality industry being some of the hardest hit businesses throughout a lengthy lockdown early this year, things had started to pick up after betting outlets and eventually casinos and bingo hall were able to reopen for business once again.The new tier system was set up by the government to protect people in areas of the country where ‘cases’ were rising. As of the 14th October Liverpool residents will be subjected to the strictest restrictions and casinos, betting shops, pubs, restaurants, bingo halls, leisure centres and gyms will once again have close their doors to the public. The new system however is under speculation as UK PM Boris Johnson was not clear how long these restrictions would be in place, it would be reviewed on a month by month basis until the situation eases?
Three Tier System
The new tier system is set into three tiers. Tier-one areas are in areas with lower popularity and a low tourism industry. Tier-two are places with a higher popularity but manageable or unavoidable crowds and Tier-3 the highest danger!The lower Tier areas will face 10pm curfews in the hospitality sector, where as Tier 3 have much stricter restrictions in Liverpool, St Helens, Halton, Sefton, Knowsley and Wirral. These restrictions including the casino closures which is a further hammer blow to the sector.The regulations are changing almost on a weekly basis and the hospitality industry seems to be the hardest hit. Gambling in Vegas and Macau is falling apart after similar restrictions are happening worldwide. The only prospect for Liverpudlians if they wish to place a bet is online but even online betting and casino play falls under even more stricter rules imposed by gambling regulators.