NEWS of Cheshire East and West getting Tier 2 restrictions next week has prompted a mixed reaction from Guardian readers.

From Wednesday, December 2, both boroughs will sit in the ‘high alert’ area – meaning households cannot mix indoors, and bars can only serve alcohol with a substantial meal.

Shops, gyms, salons and indoor entertainment facilities will all be open though, while sporting events can be watched by a crowd of up to 2,000.

The tiers will be reviewed after two weeks, and the rules will be relaxed for five days from December 23 to 27 for Christmas, when three households can mix indoors across the UK.

Commenting on the Guardian’s Facebook page, Bryan Wilson said residents have to ‘deal with it’, while Paula Jane Harrop agreed that we all need to ‘just get on with it’.

Caroline Wilbraham said: “If it means less deaths from Covid and reducing the spread then yes – even though we don’t like the rules.

“Let’s stick to the rules and stay apart to get through this quicker so that we can all get together soon.”

Barbara Terrace added: “We can’t do anything about these tiers, so we just have to conform. It’s not the end of the world.”

Some readers suggested the county should be in the higher Tier 3 band to give it a better chance of stamping out coronavirus.

Simon Barlow said: “Rather be in Tier 3 and then straight to Tier 1, this way it will climb again and we will be in Tier 3 very soon.”

Emma Rimmer added: “I generally think we should be in Tier 3 and stop it all.”

Some readers warned that the relaxation of rules at Christmas could be a mistake.

Sam Jane MacVicar said: “By all accounts we shouldn't even be coming out of lockdown until the virus is more controlled, so many people losing lives, it needs to stop.

“Having a five-day break [at Christmas] will only cause more misery for others losing loved ones. Poor management along with selfish people going about their daily life without a care for others.”

Julie Jules Elizabeth added: “I’ve worked through it all and will work Christmas and new year so it is what it is – regardless of the tiers it hardly affects me at all to be honest.

“The Christmas issue makes a mockery of all the isolating though.”

Some readers are looking forward to supporting independent businesses once again after the national lockdown.

Lisa Howard said: “Now our independent shops can open in the run up to Christmas.

“Ridiculous you can go in Aldi etc so close to people, but poor Hal Whittaker can't open only having two in at a time at one of his busiest times of year.”

However, Freddy Jones insisted ‘the whole thing is a mess’ with ‘no logic whatsoever’, particularly regarding the rules to only serving alcohol with substantial meals.

Maz Robbo added: “There’s been no logic the whole way through, think they have a list of the most stupid ideas imbeciles can think up, then stick a pin in it. Pin the tail on the donkey, with words.”

What do you think? Email yourviews@guardiangrp.co.uk