But following a continued rise in infections in London and the South East, parts of those areas were moved up to tier 3 (then the highest level) on 17 and 19 December.

Between July and September 2020, more extensive and increasingly rigorous ad hoc local regulations were introduced, which in many areas proved unsuccessful in controlling spread of the virus.

[10] These were followed by the first COVID-19 tier regulations (in effect 14 October – 4 November 2020), which placed each local authority area under one of three levels of restrictions.

As infections increased in many areas, these were replaced by the more rigorous nationwide second lockdown regulations (in effect 5 November – 1 December 2020).

Hancock used section 45R of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 to enact the regulations without prior parliamentary consideration, subject to retrospective approval by resolution of each House of Parliament within twenty-eight days.

A major difference from previous restrictions was that tiers were generally applied to larger areas such as counties or city regions rather than individual local authorities or smaller.

[24] On 29 January 2021 SI 97/2021 introduced a new 'large gathering offence' subject to penalty charges on a sliding scale between £400 and £6400.

The offence was committed when the above restrictions were breached by more than 15 people gathered in a private dwelling, in educational accommodation, or at an indoor rave.

[63] These were the same as tier 3 with the following exceptions:[28] As originally made, SI 1374 controlled social interactions by imposing rules on gatherings; there was no general prohibition against leaving home.

In tier 4 there was a general prohibition leaving or be outside one's own home (which included any associated garden or yard) without "reasonable excuse".

Must close: Restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs, social clubs, food and drink takeaways[117] Must close: Dance and fitness studios, gyms, sports courts, swimming pools, playgrounds, soft play areas, indoor leisure centres and entertainment venues, casinos, bingo halls, bowling alleys, indoor riding centres, amusement arcades, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, skating rinks, circuses, water parks, theme parks, fairgrounds and funfairs, adventure parks, model villages, kitchen, bathroom, tile and glazing showrooms, museums and galleries, indoor venues at visitor attractions, film studio attractions, conference centres, exhibition halls, betting shops, spas, tanning salons, nail salons, beauty salons, hair salons and barbers, massage parlours, tattoo and piercing parlours, carpet stores, motor showrooms, manual car washes, most auction houses, most outdoor markets[118] Must close: From 6 January 2021: outdoor sportsgrounds and facilities, including outdoor gyms, sports courts, swimming pools, water sports, shooting and archery venues, golf courses, and driving ranges; retail travel agents[119] Food and drink takeaways operated by supermarkets, convenience stores, pharmacists and petrol stations[120] Food and drink provided at motorway service stations, ports, airports and international rail terminals,[121] or on public transport[122] Restaurants etc could offer a takeaway service between 05:00 and 23:00 (with click and collect only outside those hours)[123] From 6 January 2021, hospitality venues could no longer sell alcohol to take away.

On the form, the traveller had to give a variety of personal details, to state the reason for being away from home, and to certify that the information provided was true.

[151] Anyone who failed to complete a form and who did not do so when directed by an authorised person could be required to return home or leave the embarkation point without departing from the UK.

[3] They were ultimately repealed on 29 March 2021 and replaced by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps) (England) Regulations 2021.

[157] In December 2021, it was reported that a number of social gatherings of United Kingdom government staff had occurred in the run-up to Christmas during the period when the restrictions detailed above were in force.

Similarly, the guidelines stated that exercise "should be limited to once per day", but the regulations did not require or even mention such a thing.

[159] On 6 January 2021 fixed penalty notices were handed to two women by Derbyshire Police, reportedly for travelling five miles (eight kilometres) to go for a walk.

[160] The police force subsequently stated that it was reviewing the action based on new national guidelines,[161] but issuance of the notices was nevertheless supported by the health secretary, Matt Hancock.

[164] It was reported that on 10 January 2021 Boris Johnson had been seen cycling in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, eleven miles (eighteen kilometres) from Downing Street.

[165] Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick stated that the trip had not been "against the law - that's for sure"[166] but called for greater clarity in the regulations.

London: London boroughs of: Westminster, Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, and Wandsworth.