This will means that residents can only mix with their own households or support bubbles indoors but can meet with up to six people outdoors.

Director of Public Health for Dorset and BCP Councils, Sam Crowe, said, “These measures are designed to help us bring infection and transmission rates down as quickly as possible. Over the last few months, we have seen rising cases where household mixing has led to more positive cases of COVID-19.

“To help stop the spread we need everyone to do their bit and limiting social mixing is one of the most effective way to this.”

Public services in Dorset have worked together throughout the pandemic to tackle COVID-19 across the county. The Dorset Local Resilience Forum will continue working together to drive down rates so the restrictions can be eased as soon as possible.

Cabinet member for Covid resilience and public health, Cllr Nicola Greene, 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, now and from 2 December, 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.”

Leader of Dorset Council, Cllr Spencer Flower, said, “I am disappointed that the Dorset Council area will be in Tier 2 following the end of national restrictions on Wednesday 2 December. The rate of COVID-19 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-19 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.”

The full set of restrictions can be found on the NHS COVID-19 app. The new rules come into effect on Wednesday 2 December.