News that Cornwall is one of only two areas to be placed into Tier 1 has led to fears of an "influx" of visitors arriving next week.

It follows the announcement on Thursday that Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is one of only two local authorities to be placed in Tier 1 - along with the Isle of Wight - once national lockdown restrictions are lifted next Wednesday.

Soon after the tiers were announced, some people went on social media to raise fears that second home owners would be arriving from other areas and Cornwall would become inundated with visitors.

Cornwall Council's deputy leader Adam Paynter also acknowledged at a press briefing that some people are "quite scared" about the possibility of an influx of visitors.

He said: "From a business point of view we are delighted to be in Tier 1 – it isn’t as restrictive and gives more freedom.

“But by being in Tier 1 it does flag us up as it did previously in the Number 10 briefings where Cornwall was flashing like a beacon and potentially attracting people down here.

“When you speak to local people who are quite scared and we wouldn’t want a huge influx of people coming down.

“People want those freedoms without the fears of people from Tier 3 areas bringing the virus down.

“We are in Tier One and we want to remain in Tier 1.”

So who is allowed to travel to Cornwall - and what are they allowed to do?

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People from Tier 2 areas are by law allowed to travel to other areas - with one important condition.

The guidelines state that if you are from a Tier 2 area and you travel to Tier 1 area then you must continue to follow Tier 2 rules.

This means that for anyone in Tier 2 there should be no mixing of households indoors, apart from support bubbles, with a maximum of six outdoors.

However, anyone who lives in Cornwall can meet up with a maximum of six people from other households both indoors or outdoors - and more if they are members of a single household or support bubble.

In the same way, anyone planning an overnight stay in Cornwall from a Tier 2 area can only do so if they are one household or support bubble.

For those already in living in Cornwall under Tier 1 rules, though, overnight stays are permitted with households, support bubble, or for up to six people outside of those.

When it comes to travelling around the area, the advice is the same: Walk or cycle if possible, plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport. Avoid car sharing with those outside of your household or support bubble - and avoid travelling into a Tier 3 area, other than where necessary such as for work or education.

Those in Tier 2 should also reduce the number of journeys they make - and that includes while on holiday in a Tier 1 area.

People in Tier 3 have been told to avoid travelling outside of their area at all, other than where necessary such as for work or education, and the government has advised against overnight stays other than within a household or support bubble.

For those people arriving in Cornwall for a holiday, expect to find some restrictions still in place.

Bars, pubs and restaurants can operate by table service only and they must stop taking orders by 10pm, to close by 11pm.

All shops will be open though, as will indoor leisure businesses.

University students are also being asked to travel home during a specific time period to minimise the spread of Covid-19.

The Government is asking all university students to travel home between Thursday, December 3 and Wednesday, December 9.

It says that this is to ensure that students are already home by the end of the winter term "but also reduce any transmission risk".

And Devon and Cornwall Police have warned that until the lockdown ends and the tiers come into force, no one should be travelling to Cornwall - including second home owners.

The force said that, as things stand until December 2: "Travel to a second home is not essential and overnight stays away from your primary residence are not allowed.

"You should only stay away from home overnight for a limited number of reasons."

These include if you:

  • Are unable to return to your main residence
  • Need accommodation while moving house
  • Need accommodation to attend a funeral or related commemorative event
  • Require accommodation for work purposes or to provide voluntary services, where this cannot be done from home
  • Are a child requiring accommodation for school or care
  • Are homeless, seeking asylum or a vulnerable person seeking refuge
  • Are an elite athlete, or their support staff or parent if the athlete is under 18