BUT PUBS & RESTAURANT C STAYS
bly DAAVIDM HUGHPES
FAMILIES are to be allowed to form “Christmas bubbles” and reunite over the festive period.
A temporary easing of restrictions will let three households mix from December 23- 27.
Each Christmas bubble can meet at home, at a place of worship or an outdoor public place. But existing rules on hospitality venues such as pubs and restaurants and meeting in other venues will stay in place.
PM Boris Johnson said: “All four UK nations have agreed that from the 23rd to the 27th of December, you will be able to form a Christmas bubble of no more than three households.”
Shared households in England will be able to split up to join another household for the five- day period. And university students returning at the end of term will automatically rejoin their family household and therefore not be included as a separate household.
Restraint
But people aged over 65 in care homes will not be able to join their families. And in families where three children live away they will not all be able to return for Christmas.
However, children whose parents are separated will be able to move between bubbles. Christmas bubbles will have to be exclusive over the five- day period, so people cannot move from one bubble to another.
Social distancing will not be necessary in the Christmas bubbles, though people will be advised to exercise restraint if they plan to mix with vulnerable friends or family.
Last night the four UK governments said in a joint statement: “As 2020 draws to a close, we recognise it has been an incredibly difficult year for us all. We have all had to make significant sacrifices in our everyday lives, and many religious and community groups have already had to change or forgo their customary celebrations to slow the spread of coronavirus and save lives.
“This cannot be a ‘ normal’ Christmas. But as we approach the festive period, we have been working closely together to find a way for family and friends to see each other, even if it is for a short time, and recognising that it must be both limited and cautious.”