Breaking news: Hotels in England’s Tier 3 instructed to close

In updated guidance published on Tuesday evening (Dec 1), the UK government has instructed English hospitality businesses in Tier 3 – including hotels – not to open from Wednesday, December 2.

Following the recent news that England’s spas, nails and beauty salons could reopen on December 2 when the nationwide lockdown ended, the announcement comes as a blow to many Tier 3 hospitality operators.

The specific instructions for the most restrictive of the country’s three tiers are that hospitality venues will have to close, except for delivery and takeaway service, and that “accommodation such as hotels… must close.”

There are several exemptions to this guidance, including those that use their venues as a “main residence” and “those requiring the venues where it is reasonably necessary for work or education and training”.

The guidance on reopening differs across the UK, so the BEIS advises that if your business is located in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland,  you should approach the devolved authorities to confirm their position.