Will Christmas be the same?

The way most people spent last Christmas would be forbidden under current restrictions

LAST Christmas, most people spent the holidays mixing with family and friends in a way that is now outlawed under present lockdown rules. While the Government is set to relax coronavirus restrictions to allow families across the UK to get together again this holiday, another surge in infections could still ruin Christmas.

Even if all goes to plan, many people, especially those with big families made up of several different households, could have to radically alter their plans from last year.

A Government survey exploring the social impacts of Covid-19 on Great Britain found that fewer than half of people (45 per cent) spent last Christmas at home with their own household in a way that is still allowed even under the current lockdown restrictions.

More than a quarter (27 per cent) stayed overnight with family and friends, and one in five (21 per cent) invited relatives over to stay.

Some 57 per cent of people visited family or friends in their homes but did not stay overnight, while 42 per cent invited guests to their’s (who did not sleep over).

Almost half (49 per cent) met up with others in restaurants, pubs, bars or cafes.

Seven per cent travelled overseas to spend Christmas abroad, while four per cent went on holiday with family or friends.

The survey - which regularly measures the impact of the pandemic on people’s lives - also found that almost half of respondents (48 per cent) drove for more than 30 minutes from where they live over the Christmas and New Year holiday; and another 12 per cent travelled a similar distance by train, bus or taxi.

Under current restrictions, the only option for Christmas would be to spend it at home, with your own household and only family members who are within your bubble.

However, the rules are set to be eased over Christmas, not just in England but across the whole UK, to allow people to see family.

In return, even after the current lockdown ends on December 2, people will be expected to abide by strict rules which will remain in force until then.

England will return to a tougher version of the “tier system”, which will mean more areas will be put into Tier 3.

People living in Tier 2 or 3 areas can only meet with people not in their household or bubble outdoors; while people living in

Tier 3 are also advised not to travel outside their area.

In Wales, after the “firebreak”, people are expected to stay out of each other’s homes except in “very limited circumstances”, and to limit the times they leave home and the distance they travel.

Scotland, meanwhile, has extended it’s tier system to include “Level 4” lockdown areas, where people are told to stay at home as much as possible and not to visit friends and family. These restrictions will be in place until at least December 11.

The Government believes following stricter rules now will allow a break over Christmas.

But even if Christmas is saved, it will still not be quite the same as normal - with Yuletide traditions such as the office Christmas party and kissing under the mistletoe, put on hold.

Meanwhile, people were also asked if they had any big resolutions planned for the New Year, after the UK has recovered from the pandemic.

Are you planning to make any post- Christmas and New Year changes to your life (after we've recovered from the pandemic)?

Almost a quarter of people (23 per cent) said they hoped to make a big change in 2021. Of those, almost a third (30 per cent) envisaged a change in job, one in five (19 per cent) said they wanted to move house, and 19 per cent also predicted a change in their relationship status.