Wirral and the rest of the Liverpool City Region will be in Tier 2 of the Government's Covid Alert System from next Wednesday.

The region was originally in Tier 3 before the lockdown began, but concerted efforts to lower the local infection rate have contributed to the Government's decision to move the combined authority down to the middle tier.

What are the Tier 2 rules?

No mixing of households indoors aside from support bubbles will be allowed, with a maximum gathering of six permitted outdoors.

Pubs and bars will remain closed unless operating as restaurants, with alcohol only served as part of a “substantial meal” until 10pm, before venues must close at 11pm.

All retail, leisure and personal care services are able to reopen.

People will be encouraged to reduce the number of journeys they make and to avoid travelling into Tier 3 areas, except for reasons of education or work.

Overnight stays will only be permitted for those in the same household or support bubble and accommodation can open.

Places of worship can reopen, but people must not interact with anyone outside their household or support bubble.

Fifteen guests will be allowed at weddings and civil partnerships, increasing to 30 for funerals.

Classes and organised sport can take place outdoors but not indoors if there is any interaction between two different households.

Large events including sport and live performances will be open to the public but limited to 50% capacity or 2,000 outdoors and 1,000 indoors.

The rule around sporting events means that Tranmere Rovers will be allowed to let up to 2,000 supporters into Prenton Park for home matches for the first time since February 11.

Tranmere's first home match under Tier 2 restrictions is against Walsall on Saturday, December 5.

The criteria for each tier is based on a blend of key factors, focusing on local area case numbers, reproduction rate (R number) and the level of pressure local NHS services are currently placed under.

Last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised the mass testing system currently in operation in Liverpool and said that it had contributed to a "very substantial reduction in infections".

The tier system is expected to last until March, with reviews conducted every 14 days.