Can you move house in Tier 4?
TIER 4 restrictions could keep people tied to their local area for the next few months, as the Government endeavours to suppress a new, highly infectious strain of Covid-19. Can you move house in Tier 4?
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Tier 4 measures have restricted free movement in the southeast of England since the weekend, as ministers make desperate efforts to contain the new Covid-19 strain. The strain, which the Government allegedly identified last week, is up to 70 percent more infective and requires an immediate response. Ultimately, people in the southeast will have to refrain from travel and social contact, ruling out a swathe of activities.
Can you move house in Tier 4?
Tier 4 is the new highest level in the Government's system, and comes with one warning; stay at home.
Many of the restrictions ask people to avoid gathering with those outside of their household and prohibit socialisation indoors in most cases.
But ministers have provided an exception for people moving home.
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Advice posted to Gov.uk tells people they can still view, buy and move into a new home.
The advice states: "You can still move home. People outside your household or support bubble should not help with moving house unless absolutely necessary.
"Estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to work.
"If you are looking to move, you can go to property viewings."
The Government has also provided further advice for the process of removal itself.
They warned some removal firms could choose not to operate at the moment, and if they do, people will need to plan well ahead.
Should they not manage to secure movers, ministers have also granted permission to ask another household for assistance.
But they added: "Social distancing guidelines and hygiene measures should be followed where possible."
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People should follow general guidelines and wear a mask while keeping a two-metre distance from anyone else and washing their hands.
The Government also advises: "While the removers are in your home, you should ensure any internal doors are open and try to minimise your contact with the removers, maintaining a distance of at least 2 metres where possible.
"All parties should wash their hands regularly and/or use hand sanitiser and should avoid touching surfaces where possible to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19.
"You should not provide refreshments but you should ensure removers have access to hand washing facilities, using separate towels or paper towels if possible, which should be washed or safely disposed of afterwards."
The exceptions for estate agents and their customers likely remain in place to avoid market shrinkage next year.
Analysts have already forecast an incoming slump for house prices in 2021.
Halifax said house prices could fall by up to five percent due, in part, to Government stimulus packages running out.
Russell Galley, managing director at Halifax, said a potential rise in unemployment coupled with an end to the stamp duty holiday would facilitate the drop.