Business and political leaders in Bristol and the South West have warned that the new tier restrictions will damage the region's hospitality sector - and have urged people to work together to bring coronavirus transmission rates down so the economy can reopen.
Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset will enter Tier 3 - the strictest level of restrictions.
Most of the South West will move into Tier 2. But Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are among just three local authority areas, alongside the Isle of Wight, to be heading into the lowest restriction level of Tier 1.
In both Bristol and Devon, there have today been warnings that the hospitality sector faces a tough time.
Business West managing director Phil Smith said: "Business West is disappointed with today’s news that most of the West of England region around and including Bristol has been placed into the highest level of restrictions, Tier 3 which will effectively continue the national lockdown for this area, with only Bath & North East Somerset in Tier 2.
"It is better news for the rest of the region including the counties of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire and Swindon, who have been placed in Tier 2, however restrictions here will stop many businesses from being able to operate fully.
“Grant support via the business rates system continues to be available for premises required to remain closed in Tier 3 areas, but that is small comfort compared to the lost earnings for those businesses. The full detail for other support is not clear, but many supply chain businesses and those mandated to close look like not being eligible for any further grants that have not yet been announced.
“The restrictions will have a chilling impact on the region’s economy and its ability to recover into the new year – and is very disappointing news for the many businesses for who the run up to Christmas is a vital time for earnings.
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"The outlook for our hospitality and leisure sectors in the Bristol area is a very significant worry for political and business leaders across the region. We urge everyone to redouble their efforts to comply with social distancing, to allow us to get the virus under control and start to ease restrictions before Christmas and into the new year.”
City Mayor, Marvin Rees, said, “While we all want to get back to normal as quickly as possible we also must get the Covid-19 infection rate in the city down. Covid-19 is devastating lives and livelihoods – people are becoming very unwell and businesses and workers are facing enormous financial challenges.
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“For every moment we are in Tier 3, the hospitality sector will be further damaged, people will lose businesses they have built up and jobs will be on the line. We can all help move to a tier with fewer restrictions if we work together and follow the guidance.
“Covid-19 is transmitted from person to person, and we know that one of the main reasons for the recent increase in infection rates is because people are going into other people’s homes when they shouldn’t be. We all want to see friends and family, but for now it is really important we protect those we love by not visiting them. The sooner we all do this, the sooner we can get back to some normality.”
The leader of Torbay Council Steve Darling that Devon's Tier 2 status meant hospitality businesses would be "like lambs to the slaughter" - and he called for more support for the tourism industry.
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He said: "We have been saying for months on end that the South West needs a bespoke scheme from central Government to support hospitality in the region as a special case. The MPs were behind this idea but I notice that it has now been quietly left to die.
"The support for the hospitality industry continues from us as a council. We have been given discretionary monies but it is a woeful amount. It's not enough.
"We have real challenges and we have said this all along.
"It's like lambs to the slaughter in Tier 2 for the pubs. Those that are not able to serve substantial meals - those proper local pubs that are the glue holding our communities together - are going to be the ones that suffer.
"We don't know yet how Tier 2 will impact on our holiday attractions. We really need that bespoke support for our hospitality and tourism sector."
Dorset/Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are also set for Tier 2.
Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling said: “The tougher restrictions are not surprising yet remain disappointing.
“Inevitably there will be an impact on the local economy, especially in the hard-pressed hospitality sector.
“We must now focus and divert all of our efforts into doing everything we can to move from tier 2 to tier 1 as quickly as possible. I would urge everyone to stick to the rules so this can be achieved as soon as we can and to avoid moving into tier 3, which would be disastrous.
“Disappointment at the higher ratings is tempered very slightly by relief that we will be emerging from the full lockdown next week and that a vaccination programme is on the horizon.
“Clearly there are challenges ahead and I would encourage everyone to support their local businesses at this time, especially in retail and the sectors of hospitality which are able to open.
“Support remains available to all businesses free of charge through the Dorset Gateway and I would encourage anyone to get in touch if they need help.
“The Dorset Chamber will continue to support businesses and work with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) to lobby at the highest level at Westminster.”