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As coronavirus infections continue to spread throughout the United Kingdom, the government has decided to implement some stricter rules and some exemptions this holiday season.
Add these to the upcoming travel restrictions when the Brexit transition ends on 31 Dec., and it becomes a confusing time for many. In an effort to clear up the confusion, we put together this COVID Christmas guide to update our readers on the new pandemic restrictions in place.
Here’s what you need to know.
The Christmas Bubble
Between now and 27 Dec., Britons may form what the government is calling a “Christmas bubble” made up of people from three households, The Guardian reported. You can only be part of one bubble, and that bubble may not be changed.
U.K. citizens are permitted to travel to areas in different restriction tiers and nations within the U.K. to meet with their bubble.
The bubbles are only allowed to meet in private homes, gardens, churches and other places of worship, or outdoor public spaces.
If you wish to meet with those not inside your bubble, you may still do so outside your home and according to the tier rules in the area where you are meeting.
Those who choose to form bubbles should not meet in their home or garden with friends and family that do not live in their household, unless they are also part of the bubble.
The U.K. government advises against forming a Christmas bubble with anyone in a Tier 4 area and says overnight visits should be avoided. Tier 4 areas have the tightest coronavirus restrictions.
While visiting with your Christmas bubble, the government says, you should meet outdoors if possible, insure indoor areas can get fresh air, wash your hands regularly, leave space between people from different households when possible, and follow self-isolation rules if you begin experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or test positive.
Those who are over 70-years-old or are in a vulnerable risk category for contracting the coronavirus are advised to think carefully before deciding to form or be part of a Christmas bubble.
More guidance on Tier 4 and the other tiers is available on the government’s website.
Holiday Guidance in U.K. Countries Amid COVID
In England, Prime Minister Boris Johnson reportedly said, three households can meet for a maximum of five days. He advised that people should avoid traveling from areas of high COVID-19 infection to areas with a lower infection rate.
Johnson also said people should try to avoid spending the night away from home and should wait to visit elderly relatives until they have received a vaccine.
While he acknowledged the law had not changed, he said “the overall situation is alas worse and more challenging than we had hoped when we first set the rules.”
“A smaller Christmas is going to be a safer Christmas, and a shorter Christmas is a safer Christmas.”
In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon recommended people stay in their own homes for Christmas. However, if they decide to meet with others, she said, they should only do so for one day and limit the gathering to two households, with a maximum total of eight people over age 12.
Sturgeon also advised people in Scotland to avoid traveling between areas of high and low COVID-19 infection rates, specifically between Scotland and England’s Tier 3 areas.
Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster has not recommended the tightening of any rules before Christmas, but said further restrictions could be imposed after the holiday, according to The Guardian.
Wales, however, has seen a few law changes.
Only two households should make a Christmas bubble through 27 Dec.
All nonessential shops, fitness centers and other close-contact businesses will shut down at the close of business on 24 Dec., while hospitality firms such as pubs and restaurants will close beginning at 6 p.m. Christmas Day, The Guardian reported.
U.K. Travelers May Be Banned From EU
As of 1 Jan., after the Brexit transition ends, Britons no longer will be able to enter EU countries under the current COVID-19 restrictions.
According to the European Commission, the only exemptions will be for Northern Ireland residents wishing to travel to the Republic of Ireland.
Only countries with low coronavirus infection rates are exempt from the rules that prohibit nonessential travel from the EU and European Economic Area.
EU countries in October adopted a European Council proposal to allow non-essential travel only at the recommendation of the council. The council makes its recommendations on whether each country is doing better than the EU’s average when it comes to the pandemic.
Essential travel is being limited to certain passenger categories, such as healthcare workers, diplomats and others.
What do you think of the holiday restrictions in the U.K.? Are you planning to form a Christmas bubble? Let us know in the comment section below.
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