Friends and loved ones can get together over the Christmas period

Photo: cromary - stock.adobe.com

Families and friends have the option to meet up to two other households across the UK

Changes to these restrictions were announced on 19 December, reducing the relaxation of restrictions for up to three households to form a ‘Christmas bubble’ from five days to Christmas Day only.

Read more: Relaxation of Covid restrictions over Christmas reduced to just Christmas DayPublished: 20 December 2020

Social restrictions will be eased in the UK over the Christmas period allowing friends and loved ones to reunite.

An aligned approach has been agreed by leaders of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, allowing up to three households to form a ‘Christmas bubble’ from 23-27 December.

You will also be able to travel between tiers and across the whole of the UK without restriction within the five-day period, for the purposes of meeting with your bubble.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove said: “We know that the Christmas period this year will not be normal, but families and friends will now have the option to meet up in a limited and cautious way across the UK should they wish.

“We have listened to scientific and clinical advice on how best to minimise the risk and reach a balanced and workable set of rules that we hope will allow people to spend time together at this important time of year.”

In England, support bubbles will continue to be counted as one household. Each administration will clarify their own rules on support bubbles and extended households in due course.

Christmas bubbles will be able to gather in private homes, attend places of worship together and meet in outdoor public places.

Beyond this, the government says people should continue to follow all other local restrictions in the area and are reminded to take care to limit the spread of the virus.

Where possible, the government suggests you can celebrate and support more isolated friends and loved ones through alternative approaches such as video calls and meeting outdoors.

More information about Christmas bubbles can be found via the government's website.