The Government today placed large swathes of southern England under rigid Tier 3 restrictions including all of Surrey, with the exception of the Borough of Waverley.

This means that Hambledon remains in Tier 2 but many other nearby areas are now under the toughest rules aimed at combating a rising Covid-19 infection rate in the area.

The new restrictions come into force on Saturday and will remain until the next review.

Waverley includes the towns of Godalming, Haslemere, Farnham and Cranleigh and the villages around them.

Local people should consult with Government guidelines before deciding whether to visit Tier 3 areas, which now include the nearby centres of  Guildford and Woking. In these areas shops can remain open but all pubs and restaurants must shut, other than for take-aways.

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

In Tier 3 areas, a socially-distanced garden gathering of six is now banned. In Tier 2, this is still allowed. No one can visit inside a house in either tier, other than over the immediate Christmas period when three household may mix inside. However, people are urged to avoid doing so if they can.

Hambledon Village Shop and Post Office remains open but will only serve customers outside or by its on-line ordering service.

Hambledon Nursery School has made the decision to close three days early. The Merry Harriers can remain open under Tier 2 rules, which allow people to enter as an established household group in order to have a “substantial” meal.

All Waverley Borough residents are urged to exercise great caution, follow the rules, and consider carefully whether they should visit a Tier 3 area.

Covid cases are rising in Waverley, but not at the same rate as elsewhere in the county, hence it being made an exception.