What will a coronavirus Christmas look like?
THE RULE OF SIX COULD BE THIS YEAR’S SCROOGE
Gatherings are currently limited to six people indoors and outdoors in England and Scotland.
Groups of any more than six, both in private homes and hospitality venues (with a few exceptions including funerals and weddings) are breaking the law. As it stands, legislation in England includes children of all ages, so a newborn niece or nephew could steal your place at the family Christmas table should their arrival coincide with the festive period.
Under-12s are exempt under the rule of six laws in Wales and Scotland.
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING
Research carried out in August found just under a third (32%) of people have already started their Christmas shopping, citing the need to save money as the reason for getting cracking early. More than a quarter (28%) said they would be spending less, although 12% said they expect to splash out more this year.
But they won’t be able to spend it at many of the now-traditional Christmas markets across the UK.
Leeds and Birmingham are among several towns and cities to announce their festive markets have been cancelled due to coronavirus.
WILL THERE BE A WORK CHRISTMAS PARTY?
The rule of six puts another dampener (or throws a lifeline depending on your point of view) on the annual office party. With only six people allowed to socialise together and from no more than two households, even in pubs or restaurants, the workplace Christmas do might be a more intimate affair this year. Perhaps with only one in 10 people in the UK having returned to the office full time, 2020 could be the year of the Zoom Christmas party.
Or, with workplaces exempt, will 2020 mark the return of (socially distanced) parties by the photocopier?
WILL WE GET TO GO TO THE PANTO?
With the government’s coronavirus performing arts measures in place, panto season currently looks like being more of a fairytale with theatres and performing arts venues largely still closed.
Theatres that can reopen with Covidsafe measures, such as social distancing, one-person shows or outdoor performances, have done.
But ‘he’s behind you’ would be difficult to pull off with only one actor, and December weather is rarely conducive to al fresco performances.
STAY APART THIS CHRISTMAS
Whether you gather as a (small) family or enjoy a mulled wine with five friends, you will have to do it at a distance.
Two metres remains the preferred distance that you must stand from people who are not in your household or bubble.
This means you should not be hugging friends or family you do not live with or who are not in your bubble.
While you can eat and drink, and even stay over (apart from in Northern Ireland and under any local lockdown rules), together, you should socially distance from anyone not in your household or bubble.
It can also be difficult to stand at the prescribed distance, in which case you should stand and take precautions, including standing side-by-side and wearing a face covering.
WHAT ABOUT NEW YEAR’S EVE?
2020 looks set to end with more of a whimper than a bang. Tickets for the UK’s biggest New Years party, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, were withdrawn from sale back in July. Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced that the capital’s iconic display would not go ahead as “we simply cannot afford” to have people gathering as they normally would.
As things stand, it looks like many of us will be celebrating at home with small parties. But, remember, come midnight, no Auld Lang Syne hand-holding or kissing those outside your household or bubble no matter how pleased you will be to slam the door on 2020.
COULD TESTING SAVE CHRISTMAS?
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he hopes people can have “a happy and loving Christmas that people yearn for”, if a vaccine becomes available or if the mass testing idea is realised.
But if we look at the government’s form on delivering on testing targets, just how likely is it that they can deliver millions of daily tests in time for the festive season, or even next spring?
The Moonshot proposals come as the current testing programme faces considerable criticism for struggling to meet demand.