Covid: Relaxation of UK Christmas rules ‘unlikely to change'
Sterner warnings about the dangers of mixing over Christmas are to be issued by the four UK nations later – but the rules allowing three households to meet are expected to remain in place.
There are no plans to alter England's regulations and sources say the other nations are “unlikely to change”.
The plans for 23-27 December will be discussed in a call between officials.
It comes as London, much of Essex and parts of Hertfordshire moved into tier three restrictions overnight.
Around 61% of England's population is now living under the toughest rules.
What are the Christmas rules?
- Between 23 and 27 December, you can form a “Christmas bubble” comprised of people from three households
- You can travel between tiers and between UK nations to meet your bubble
- You can only meet in homes, places of worship or public outdoor spaces – not pubs or restaurants
- You can meet people outside your bubble according to your local rules
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove will resume talks with leaders of the devolved administrations on Wednesday morning amid warnings hospitals could become overwhelmed if the easing of Covid regulations across the UK continue as planned.
The rules will allow up to three households to form a bubble and stay overnight at each other's homes over a five-day period.
Labour has called for the measures over Christmas to be reviewed, while two leading journals said the “rash” decision to ease restrictions would “cost many lives”.
In a joint editorial, the British Medical Journal and Health Service Journal stressed that demand on the NHS was increasing, adding that a new strain of coronavirus – identified in both England and Wales – “has introduced further potential jeopardy”.
But instead of a change to the rules, advice around celebrating Christmas safely across the UK is expected to be significantly strengthened.
People will be urged to stay local where possible and to think carefully about who they bubble with, such as avoiding the elderly or at-risk relatives.
An information campaign is expected to be launched in the days running up to Christmas.
After the first round of talks on Tuesday, a UK government source said they were “keen to maintain a UK-wide approach”.
Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, had earlier told the Scottish Parliament there was a “case” for tightening the planned freedoms to combat a rise in infections.
In Wales, First Minister, Mark Drakeford, said “the choice is a grim one”, but the current plans were a “hard-won agreement” he would not put aside “lightly”.
A spokeswoman for Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said they would be holding discussions with their medical and scientific advisers.
Sir Graham Brady, the head of the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs, opposes any change to the Christmas rules and told BBC Newsnight that issuing new guidance was a “good thing”.
“Give people the information, give them what they need to make sensible decisions for themselves and their loved ones, and then trust people,” he said.
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