THE Black Country will be placed in the stricter tier three of the government’s coronavirus restrictions.

The decision means the county will be facing tougher rules than before the second national lockdown which ends on December 2.

Tier three rules ban households from mixing indoors and outdoors. The rule of six applies in outdoor spaces such as parks.

Pubs and restaurants will remain closed except for takeaway and delivery services, as well as indoor entertainment venues.

Decisions on tiers were based on Public Health recommendations based on case detection rate in all ages but particularly in the over-60s; how quickly rates are rising or falling, the number of positive cases and current and projected pressure on the NHS locally.

The government says the system will be regularly reviewed and the county’s tier level could change before Christmas.

The first review is set to take place on December 16.

The key differences in rules:

TIER 1

• You must follow the rule of six if you are meeting indoors or outdoors

• Pubs and restaurants will close at 11pm

• Minimise travel and work from home when possible

• Spectators allowed at sports events and live performances in limited numbers

TIER 2

• No household mixing indoors

• Rule of six applies outdoors

• Pubs and restaurants will close at 11pm but last orders will be 10pm

• Alcohol can only be served with a “substantial” meal

• Spectators allowed at sports events and live performances in limited numbers

TIER 3

• No household mixing indoors or outdoors

• Rule of six applies in outdoor spaces such as parks

• Pubs and restaurants will close except for takeaway and delivery

• Indoor entertainment venues will close