Christmas lockdown rules: What festive plans could look like during Covid-19
It may be too early to put up the tree, but that doesn't mean Christmas isn't on the minds of many Britons. But what exactly could the festive season look like during this Covid-19 pandemic year?
Downing Street has said plans for the replacement of England's lockdown measures and proposals to ease restrictions over Christmas will be set out next week.
However, Ministers have agreed that families will be able to enjoy Christmas together across the whole of the UK.
The leaders of all four home nations have agreed a plan to allow up to four households to mix between Christmas Eve and December 28.
No final decision has been made on how many households will be able to get together, but sources have indicated it will be either three or four households, meaning families will be able to have both sets of grandparents to stay.
Families must decide on their extended bubbles in advance and will not be able to mix with anyone from outside that bubble during the festive break.
The Cabinet Office said, "Work is continuing to finalise the arrangements, including relating to travel. The UK Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive hope to conclude this work this week, subject to agreement by each administration.”
The "end of lockdown package" is set to be announced on Monday November 23, and it is expected that when lockdown ends it will be replaced by a new harsher three-tier system - though the 10pm pub curfew may be extended by an hour.
On October 28, Environment Secretary George Eustice said: "We want people to be able to celebrate Christmas as normal as possible, but it is too early to say exactly what situation will be come Christmas, and to say what different parts of the country will or will not be able to do."
Final details of the arrangements for Christmas are expected to be announced later this week.
How is Covid-19 going to affect Christmas this year?
Determined to save Christmas, the Prime Minister introduced a second national lockdown after Britain's infections increased and Tier 3 restrictions across much of England failed to stem the spread.
The current restrictions are set to last until December 2, but lockdown is expected to be replaced by a new harsher three-tier system.
Details of the new tougher tiers system, which comes into force on Dec 3, will be announced on Monday, November 23, with the final decision on which areas are in which tiers on Thursday, November 26.
The plan will set out how people will be able to spend their Christmas, but ministers have made clear families will be able to celebrate together from 24 to 28 December.
Other restrictions, including pub closures, are also expected to be relaxed over the five-day holiday.
Previously, Mr Johnson had been told by senior Tories to start "treating people as adults" as polling has found that one in four Britons will break coronavirus rules to see family and friends on Christmas Day.
In a statement, the Cabinet Office said the leaders of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland had “endorsed a shared objective of facilitating some limited additional household bubbling for a small number of days”.
However, they also emphasised that the public "will be advised to remain cautious, and that wherever possible people should avoid travelling and minimise social contact”.
Northern Ireland is discussing a cross-border agreement with Ireland, which means the same rules are likely to apply in every part of the British Isles.
The Cabinet Office said: “Welcoming the good progress made by all administrations over the past few days to design a single set of arrangements that can apply across the UK, ministers reiterated the importance of allowing families and friends to meet in a careful and limited way, while recognising that this will not be a normal festive period and the risks of transmission remain very real."
The four-nation approach, which must be approved by Parliament and each of the devolved administrations, will mean families who have relatives in another of the home nations, who have at times been prevented from visiting them because of different rules either side of the border, can now confidently plan Christmas together.
The Prime Minister previously said: “Christmas is going to be different this year, perhaps very different, but it’s my sincere hope and belief that by taking tough action now we can allow families across the country to be together.”
However, in the run up to Christmas, if the country returns to the tiered system, the rules in your area's tier will once again apply - if you plan to enjoy a meal at a pub or restaurant, it is forbidden to have more than five friends at the table at any given time and more than two families mixing indoors and outdoors. Higher tiers are not allowed to mix with other households indoors at all, including in restaurants.
These rules will likely apply across England to all ages, and include not just private homes, but also parks, pubs, restaurants and sporting events.
The Prime Minister will say that the strength of the restrictions for the rest of next month will depend on how well the public complies with the current lockdown.
Read more on tiered restrictions:
Will there be a five day Christmas break?
Yes. People all over the UK will enjoy a five day break from Christmas Eve to December 28.
Although no final decision has been made on how many households will be able to get together, sources have indicated up to three or four households would be allowed to join together to form one "bubble" for a number of days.
The move allows relatives to spend several days together for the festivities and mean families would not have to "choose between grandparents".
With Christmas Eve falling on a Thursday and a Bank Holiday on Monday December 28, ministers are examining are allowing indoor gatherings for this five day period, provided you are mixing only with your 'bubble.'
However, reports suggest the Prime Minister is facing caution from scientific advisors not to ‘throw fuel on the fire’ by allowing gatherings over the festive period. This comes as medical experts warn of a potential third wave in the new year.
The Government's medical adviser on Covid, Dr Susan Hopkins, said on Wednesday, November 18, that advice from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) was that the price for easing measures would be heavy restrictions before and after Christmas.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma, also refused to comment on whether the measures would be eased, saying it was "too early to come to conclusions".
Will we be in lockdown at Christmas?
The government still plans to ease lockdown restrictions on December 2 and transition into a the Tier system.
However, despite your local tier, people in England, Scotland, Wales and Nothern Ireland will be able to mix with up to four households over the five day break from 24 to 28 December.
However, some Ministers have expressed their doubt concerning lockdown ending. Cabinet Minister, Michael Gove told Sky's Sophy Ridge on November 1 that over the month the Government would review the data, adding that he hoped the reinfection rate would be "significantly reduced" by December 2.
But asked if the national lockdown could be extended, he replied: "Yes."
The chief executive of the NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, has also urged the Government to make Tier 3 lockdown measures the ‘new normal’ to avoid the ‘disaster’ of a third lockdown in January.
In his interview with The Times, Mr Hopson shared that there is a “risk” we will “swap a few days of celebration for the misery of a third wave a few weeks later.”
Will there be Covid rules for over Christmas?
Christmas-specific rules are set to be announced by the Government, with changes subject to a vote in the House of Commons.
Mr Johnson is due to announce a 'Covid winter plan' to the House of Commons on Monday, November 23. It is expected he will outline further details on the five day break planned from 24 to 28 December.
But if lockdown is lifted on December 2, families will have to comply with the rules under the three-tier system and all social gatherings between households could be banned in the run up to Christmas.
Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, made clear late last week that restrictions will be imposed, telling a press conference at 10 Downing Street that it would be "an approach that keeps people safe as well as recognising the importance of Christmas and the importance of seeing our loved ones over Christmas".
The Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace has also spoken out about what we can expect over the festive period, saying, “I don’t want to be the Grinch that stole Christmas’ but he went on to add: ‘More than anything I want us to get through this Covid and try and get this country back to normal.”
Can I still meet other households and see my family at Christmas?
Yes, as long as it is during the five day break.
Under Government plans to rescue Christmas, families will be able to enjoy Christmas together from Christmas Eve to December 28, as long as they remain within the household limit set by the government.
No final decision has been made on how many households will be able to get together, but it is likely to be three or four households, meaning families will be able to have both sets of grandparents to stay.
Read more: Christmas gift guide - best ideas for 2020
Can I travel abroad over Christmas?
Christmas holidays are not necessarily off the cards. It just depends on where you want to go.
Travel corridors and travel restrictions are continuously reassessed based on rise in cases and R rates amongst other factors. Whilst the official guidance discourages all non-essential travel, you may still be allowed to travel internationally - as long as you are aware of the risks and restrictions.
The 'green' list of travel corridor countries, which Britons can visit without needing to self-isolate upon return, is shrinking - which means you may be out of pocket if your trip is cancelled due to new lockdown restrictions.
Travelling against official government advice is not illegal, but most tour operators will not offer trips to destinations which the Foreign Office (FCO) deems unsafe. In a pandemic, that's just about everywhere - and it does make travel insurance complicated.
If you choose to visit a country to which the FCO advises against travel without invalidating your insurance - here's what you need to know.
How to have a Covid-secure Christmas
To ensure family gatherings at Christmas are as safe as they can be, it will be important to adhere Government guidelines.
It would probably be best to also do your Christmas shopping early for both gifts and food, to avoid the Christmas Eve rush to the supermarket or late package deliveries.
Since families will most likely be spending more time at home this year, make the most of it by creating your own Christmas decorations or playing Elf on the Shelf. But most of all, try not to be miserable this Christmas - and to focus on your mental and physical wellbeing as much as the situation allows.
What will Christmas be like during coronavirus?
Although Christmas may not be what we are used to this year, the five day festive break brings positive news as people are able to celebrate Christmas together.
However, the Cabinet Office urged people to still meet family and friends in a "careful and limited way, while recognising that this will not be a normal festive period and the risks of transmission remain very real."
Christmas on Zoom for big families? We shouldn't rule it out.
What we do know - you can expect a face mask and hand sanitiser under the tree.
Read more: Best unusual and quirky gift ideas for Christmas 2020
