Short answer: Yes.
Longer answer: The access hadn't been removed yet, as the update that would enable account linking wasn't pushed yet. As for the Steam side, I'm pretty sure people who already had the game installed should've had access still, although updates and general unsureness definitely could be obstacles. With this tweet, however, the update is no longer coming, and were just waiting for Sony/Valve to lift the selling/installing restrictions in those countries.
Damn shame this comment section turned into an EOS battleground. This game is worth a hell of a lot more than that.
Have I ever made it further than tier 4? No. Will I start new playthroughs countless more times in an effort to? Hell yes.