RESIDENTS across Dorset have woken this morning to new coronavirus restrictions as the whole of the county starts life out of national lockdown in Tier 2 High Alert measures.

These restrictions mean no mixing of households is permitted indoors, apart from support bubbles, while the rule of six applies in outdoor settings.

Pubs and bars must remain closed, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals. Venues must stop taking orders at 10pm and must close by 11pm.

The new tier structure from the Government was signed off by MPs last night in a House of Commons vote although Dorset's representatives were split on the legislation.

Four of the county's Conservative MPs were against Boris Johnson's winter plan, one abstained and three were in support of the Prime Minister.

Reacting to Dorset and BCP Council areas going into Tier 2 having entered the second national lockdown at the start of November in the old Tier 1, Cllr Nicola Greene, BCP Council's cabinet member for covid resilience and public health, said: “We are disappointed to be placed in tier two, given the continuing fall in infection rates in our area, thanks to the positive behaviours of local people, who have been diligently following the rules and helping to control the virus.

"We must continue to do so, though as this will give us hope of moving down a tier as soon as we can.

"This is vital to protect our older relatives, and increase the changes of a more flexible ‘normal’ in the near future.”

Dorset Council leader Cllr Spencer Flower said: "The rate of COVID infection here is falling and is one of the lowest in the country. The people of Dorset have worked hard and made sacrifices to comply with COVID restrictions over many months. As a result, the number of COVID cases here has been relatively low. However, I am optimistic that by continuing to observe measures to reduce spread of the virus we can return to Tier 1 when the Government conducts its review on 16 December.

"Once again, thank you for everything everyone is doing to stop the spread of the virus.”

In an open letter to residents, Public Health Dorset said: "If we all continue to do that, as hard as it is, we stand a good chance of reaching the next review on December 16 with a strong chance of a positive decision to move to Tier 1.

"If infection rates continue to fall, we can expect less pressure on our hospitals, and a falling infection rate in our older population, all of which will be crucial in how that decision is made.”