Five days of Christmas
●Up to three households allowed to mix for limited time over festive period
Scots will be able to meet with two other households over five days at Christmas.
After a Cobra meeting chaired by Tory minister Michael Gove and the first ministers of the devolved nations, it was confirmed people would be able to see family over the festive period.
Applying across the UK, this will include overnight stays and will last from 23 December to 27 December.
Confirming the plans, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged caution despite the relaxation of measures.
She said: “We know that, for some, contact with friends and family is crucial during this time as isolation and loneliness can hit people especially hard over the Christmas period. The ‘bubble’ approach aims to reduce this impact.
“But we must be clear, there cannot be any further relaxation of measures for Hogmanay. Even this short relaxation will give the virus a chance to spread.
"Our priority is to suppress transmission of Covid-19 and reduce the risk to the vulnerable and those who have spent so long shielding - and that involves abiding by the rules.
“Just because you can mix with
others indoors over this time, that doesn’t mean you have to. If you choose to stick with the rules as they are, then you will be continuing the hard work to beat this virus and prevent its spread.”
These bubbles will not be able to be changed and socialising within them will only be allowed in private homes, outdo or spaces and places of worship.
Visiting venues such as pubs or restaurants will not be allowed with that group, but people will be able to hug family members and will not have to stick to social distancing within their bubble.
Each administration will clarify their own rules on support bubbles and extended households in due course.
In England, support bubbles will continue to be counted as one household.
Travel restrictions will also be lifted across the UK for these five days.
People in Northern Ireland are set to be given an extra day either side of the five - day period to allow more time to travel.
Speaking following the meeting on Tuesday, Mr Gove said :“The UK-wide agreement reached today will offer hope for families and friends who have made
many sacrifices over this difficult year.
“We know that the Christmas period this year will not be normal, but following constructive discussions between the UK Government and the devolved administrations, families and friends will now have the option to meetup in a limited and cautious way across the UK should they wish.
“Incoming to this agreement, we have listened to scientific and clinical advice on how best to minimise the risk andrea cha balanced and workable set of rules that we hope will allow people to spend time together at this important time of year .”
A joint statement from the UK Government and the devolved administrations added :“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 sacrifice sin our everyday lives, and many religious and community groups have already had to change or forgot heir customary celebrations to slow the spread of corona virus and save lives.
“This cannot be a‘ norm al’ Christmas. But as we approach the festive period, we have been working close - ly 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.
“In this context, the four administration shave reached agreement on a single set of Uk-wide measures to help people come together with their loved ones in a way that is as safe as possible.”
Scottish Secretary A lister Jack said: "I'm very pleased we have secured agreement right across the UK to ensure families can meet, albeit in a far more limited way than usual, this Christmas.
"Christmas has a special place in all of our hearts. It is a time when many of us look forward to spending time with friends and relatives, and many families come together from all parts of the UK.
"This Christmas will not be what we are used to. Because of the virus, it simply cannot be. But a limited ea sing of restrictions will allow us to see some of our loved ones at this important time.
"More household mixing does mean more chance for the virus to spread, however, and I urge people to be as careful and responsible as possible over the Christmas period."
Scottish Labour leader
Richard Leonard said the announcement of arrangements for Christmas would "come as a huge relief to people across Scotland, after weeks of speculation and doubt about whether families would be able to spend Christmas together this year".
He said it was "welcome that sensible and safe arrangements have been agreed" but added :" We still need to be acutely aware of the fact that there will still be many Scots who face spending Christmas alone.
"Loneliness has surged during the pandemic, with grievous consequences for mental health and wellbeing.
"It' s important that we all look out for people facing isolation during the festive period, and that appropriate support is given to them."
This week Boris Johnson admitted there would be risks to allowing people to gather over the festive period, declaring it was the "season to be jolly careful".
On Monday the Cabinet Office revealed that min isters from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland had endorsed a “shared objective of facilitating some limited additional household bubbling for a small number of days”.
An agreement was reached between the four nations following talks on Saturday, but it was emphasised the pub - lic would still be advised to “remain cautious”, and that “wherever possible people should avoid travelling and minimise social contact”.
Earlier on Tuesday Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPS this Christmas would not look the same as normal.
UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapp surged people to "look very carefully" at how they will go home for Christmas - and even consider not travelling.
The decision comes a month after Scotland's national clinical director Professor Jason Leitch told Scots to get ready for a “digital Christmas”.