There are many similarities between Felixstowe and Falmouth. Both are coastal resorts popular with visitors searching for sun, sea and sights to enjoy when not on the beach.

Distance aside, another thing will separate them as from Wednesday when Falmouth enjoys being in Tier One, and all the freedom that means, while Felixstowe will be in Tier Two, and the tears that brings to many publicans and family groups.

Yet the cut off points is agonisingly close, with Felixstowe only separated from Falmouth on the Covid graph by the Isle of Wight and the smallest of margins.

The latest figures from Public Health England show East Suffolk had 162 cases in the week leading up to November 28th.

In Cornwall, the number remain low. As of Sunday the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly had 21 cases, with a rate of 38.2 per 100k of the resident population. Only four deaths have been recorded over the past week – within 28 days of taking a test.

While in Felixstowe the rule of six applies. This means you must not socialise with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place and you must not socialise in a group of more than six people outside, including in a garden or a public space, but in Falmouth people from other household are allowed to mix, even if they are not family.

Also in Falmouth, pub-goers can enjoy an alcoholic drink or two without having to order a meal, whereas in Felixstowe you have to order a substantial meal before being served a drink as pubs must operate as if they are a restaurant.

Similarly, while Felixstowe Palace can stay open until 11pm, providing a performance starts before 10pm, it can only allow either 50% of its usual audience capacity, while in Falmouth the Phoenix Cinema can reopen fully once again.

The difference in watching sport is also acute, while you can go to watch Felixstowe & Walton United, only a maximum of 300 spectators will be allowed, whereas in Falmouth a maximum of 4,000 fans will be allowed at outdoor events. Good news for Falmouth Town at Bickland Park.

Some Suffolk MPs believe the county could come out when the review is held in mid-December but only if outbreaks in Hadleigh and Ipswich are brought under control.

Matt Hancock, health secretary and West Suffolk MP, has said he hopes Suffolk can soon join Tier 1, as the government is set to review the tiers for each area in mid-December.

"My own constituency of West Suffolk has the lowest case rate for over-60s in the whole country and I want to thank (council leaders) Matthew Hicks and John Griffiths and their teams for this achievement," he said when announcing the new local lockdown system in the House of Commons.

"But despite the fact that Suffolk has the lowest case rate outside Cornwall and the Isle of Wight, our judgement, looking at all the indicators and based on the public health advice, is that Suffolk needs to be in Tier 2 to get the virus further under control.

"I hope Suffolk and so many other parts of the country can get to Tier 1 soon and the more people stick to the rules the quicker that will happen."

In Cornwall, the fear is Falmouth, Penryn and Cornwall will be they will be dragged into tier two and the council has urged residents to remain vigilant.

"Now is not the time to relax, we need to be on our guard more than ever before, if we are to remain in this position," said Cllr Julian German, leader of Cornwall Council.

"The tiers are reviewed every two weeks, and we are close to being in tier two, so I ask each and every resident of Cornwall to do their bit and remain vigilant if we want to stay in tier one and not see a rise in cases in the winter months ahead."

Tier two restrictions in Felixstowe (below these are Falmouth's freedoms in tier one):

provide table service only, in premises which sell alcohol

hospitality businesses and venues selling food and drink for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through

early closure (11pm) applies to casinos, cinemas, theatres, museums, bowling alleys, amusement arcades, funfairs, theme parks, adventure parks and activities, and bingo halls. Cinemas, theatres and concert halls can stay open beyond 11pm in order to conclude performances that start before 10pm

public attendance at outdoor and indoor events (performances and shows) is permitted, limited to whichever is lower: 50% capacity, or either 2,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors

organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes will only be permitted if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with (or share a support bubble with). There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s, which can take place with larger groups mixing

you can continue to travel to venues or amenities which are open, but should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible

if you live in a tier two area, you must continue to follow tier two rules when you travel to a tier 1 area.

Avoid travel to or overnight stays in tier three areas other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities.You can travel through a tier three area as a part of a longer journey

for international travel see the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice for your destination and the travel corridors list