I know it's been really tough for people all over Reading, though, and I just wanted to convey my thanks to all who have done their bit for our community. I hope you'll all keep pulling together so that we can protect one another.

From today, the following rules apply in Tier 2:

• Indoors, you must not socialise with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble, whether at home or in a public place.
• Outdoors, you must not socialise in a group of more than 6 people, including in a garden or a public space – this is called the ‘rule of 6’.
• For more details on the full restrictions, visit the dedicated Tier 2 page on our website.

• Reading Museum, for booked visits  www.readingmuseum.org.uk/welcome-back
• Marriage, civil partnership and in person citizenship ceremonies: weddings, civil partnerships and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on numbers of attendees – we can accommodate 12 people in our ceremony room and receptions, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies.
• RSL Leisure centres at South Reading, Palmer Park and Meadway will reopen for booked sessions: www.readingleisure.co.uk 
• Outdoor sports such as football
• Reading Arts venues – the Hexagon and South Street Arts Centre https://whatsonreading.com
• Tilehurst Library will be open for bookings from Monday 7 December. Find out more at www.reading.gov.uk/libraryrestart

 
For full details visit our website’s how services are affected page.
 
Supporting local businesses
 
Also reopening from today are non-essential shops, and with the run up to this Christmas being a more crucial time than ever for sales, we are encouraging people to buy local and support Reading’s economy. It is a tough time for our local businesses so please support them where you can. We are doing all we can to help them too, and are encouraging local business owners to find out if they are eligible and apply for the financial support which the Council is making available. To date we have paid out over £500,000 to over 450 businesses who have applied for the local restrictions support grant. More information about the grant schemes, including a short video message, can be found below.
 
Stay Well In Reading This Winter
 
This week’s theme of the Stay Well In Reading This Winter campaign is all about getting connected. Our COVID-19 Communication, Engagement and Outreach Officer, Nisa, wants to hear from the communities of Reading, and in particular those residents who aren’t accessing our information and services around COVID-19, where for example residents don’t speak English as their first language. We want to know how best can we help you, reach you and communicate important health and wellbeing information, so if someone you know could benefit please get in touch and let Nisa know how we can help. Email unis.nisa@reading.gov.uk or call 07815 9790 354. Nisa’s short Youtube video explains more about how we can help with this.