READERS have reacted to yesterday's announcement that Brighton and Hove, along with the rest of Sussex, will be in Tier 2 when the national lockdown ends next week.

As a result, residents will have to stick to stricter rules than before the national restrictions were introduced on November 5.

All areas of Sussex were previously in Tier 1, which allowed hospitality venues to stay open until 10pm and meetings with other households within homes and other private indoor settings, if people stuck to the "rule of six".

In Tier 2: 

  • Pubs and bars will remain closed unless they are operating as restaurants.
  • Restaurants must have last orders by 10pm and must close at 11pm.
  • Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals.
  • All non-essential shops, gyms, and salons can reopen 'in a Covid-secure manner'.
  • People must not socialise with anyone they do not live with in any indoor setting.
  • People must not socialise in a group of more than six (the "rule of six") in an outdoor setting. This can be public or private.

This was how Argus readers reacted to the news that Sussex would be in Tier 2:

1. 'Comical' - Paul Dunning was unimpressed by the move from lockdown to Tier 1, to lockdown, and now to Tier 2

2. 'A free for all' - Paul Goose Williams did not understand why restrictions were being loosened over Christmas, when the tier system had been updated to include tougher measures

3. 'Basically no different to now' - Sophie Thorne said there was little difference between Tier 2 restrictions and the current UK lockdown measures

4. Paul Smithson said Tier 2 restrictions could be devastating for pubs which relied on drinks sales rather than food

5. 'It's not clear' - Richard Marchant wanted more clarity on the updated rules

6. 'Absolute bl**** joke' - Shell JS Knight said East Sussex should not be under the same restrictions as large urban areas such as London and Liverpool