Christmas 2020 is going to be very different from the celebrations we are used to.
From restrictions on socialising to cancelled events, it will be a far cry from previous years.
In the lead up to Christmas localised tier restrictions are in place, limiting interactions with members of other households.
The UK will have a 5-day break from Covid rules between December 23-28 – where you can freely visit other households – in a sensible and organised manner.
The Prime Minister has asked people to take care when visiting ‘clinically vulnerable’ family members – and adhere to social distancing where possible.
Government scientists have advised against some Christmas traditions such as hugging and playing board games to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Below you will find all the rules you need to know for Christmas 2020 including – meeting friends and family, visiting care homes, going to pubs and restaurants, church ceremonies, festive events and more.
The information below has been taken from the GOV.UK website and is accurate at the time of publishing.
1. Meeting friends and family over Christmas
From 23 December to 27 December, you may choose to form a Christmas bubble.
A Christmas bubble will be able to spend time together in private homes, including second homes and caravans, to attend places of worship, or meet in a public outdoor place.
If you do form a Christmas bubble , you should not meet socially with friends and family you do not live with in your home or garden unless they are part of your Christmas bubble.
In all other settings, people should follow local restrictions in the tier in which they are meeting.
If you do not form a Christmas bubble, you should continue to follow the guidance for the tier you are in.
2. Visiting pubs and restaurants
From 2 December, the rules on who you can meet with in bars, pubs and restaurants will depend on your tier. The rules might be different for indoor and outdoor hospitality settings. Check the rules for your tier.
Between 23 and 27 December, the rules on who you can meet in bars, pubs and restaurants will not change.
Although there are exemptions for work purposes, you must not have a work Christmas lunch or party, where that is a primarily social activity and is not otherwise permitted by the rules in your tier.
3. Visiting churches and other places of worship
From 2 December, you can attend places of worship in all tiers. The rules on who you can meet with whilst at places of worship will depend on your tier.
Between 23 and 27 December, you may also attend a place of worship with members of your Christmas bubble. This applies in all tiers.
Oh it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere we go…
If you can’t get enough of the most wonderful time of the year then we’ve got the group for you.
Join our Christmas in Cambridgeshire Facebook group for all the latest festive news including recommendations, event listings, recipes, advice and more.
Think of it as your go-to place for all things festive.
To join the group click on the link or search for Christmas in Cambridgeshire on Facebook.
We also have a dedicated email address for everything Christmas. So if you have anything you want to send in use: cambschristmas@reachplc.com
4. Visiting shops and Christmas markets
From 2 December, the rules on who you can meet with in shops will depend on your tier. The rules might be different for indoor shops and open air shops, such as Christmas markets or Christmas tree markets. Check the rules for your tier.
Santa’s grottos are able to open in all tiers where they are located in venues otherwise permitted to open. Venues should put in place appropriate COVID-secure measures, including social distancing.
Between 23 and 27 December, the rules on who you can meet in shops will not change. This includes Boxing Day sales.
5. Christmas events, light switch ons and carol services
From 2 December, the rules on attending events, including performances and Christmas or other festive lighting ceremonies will depend on your tier. The rules might be different for indoor and outdoor events..
Between 23 and 27 December, the rules on indoor events will not change. You can attend outdoor events with your Christmas bubble.
6. Celebrating New Year’s Eve
You must follow the rules on where you can go and who you can meet, including on New Year’s Eve.
Your Christmas bubble will no longer apply.
Hospitality venues are all required to close by 11pm at the latest.
7. Visiting relatives in care homes
You will be able to continue visiting relatives in care homes in all tiers. Visits should be held with social distance and PPE in place, outside or in other Covid-secure visiting areas.
Where testing is available, residents will be able to have visits from up to two visitors each week in all tiers by Christmas.
If a visitor has a negative test, is wearing appropriate PPE, and following other infection control measures, then it may be possible for visitors to have physical contact with their loved one, such as providing personal care, holding hands and hugging.
8. Travelling between tiers in the UK
From 2 December to 27 December the advice on travelling outside of your tier, including for overnight stays, will depend on your tier.
Between 23 and 27 December, you may travel between tiers and other nations of the UK if necessary to meet with other households in your Christmas bubble or return home. Once at your destination, you should follow the rules in that tier.
You should not travel to see your bubble before 23 December, or travel back after the 27 December except in exceptional circumstances (for example, if a member of your Christmas bubble develops symptoms of COVID-19 and you are required to self-isolate).
Anyone travelling to or from Northern Ireland may travel on the 22 and 28 December.
Transport routes may be busier than normal. You should:
- plan ahead, check for disruption before you leave, and avoid the busiest routes, as well as busy times
- avoid making unnecessary stops during your journey
- avoid sharing a car with people not in your household or Christmas bubble
- keep your distance from other people when you travel, where possible
- wash or sanitise your hands regularly
- wear a face covering on public transport in England unless you’re exempt
If you plan to travel to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you should read guidance from Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland before you travel.
You can stay in a hotel, hostel or B&B, in line with the rules in your tier.
In tier 3, in order to be located near your Christmas bubble, you can stay in a hotel between 22 and 28 December, as long as you’re staying by yourself or with other members of your household, or support bubble. You should not gather as a Christmas bubble in a hotel, hostel or B&B unless a member of your bubble lives there permanently.
You can stay in private rented accommodation such as short term holiday lets with members of your household, or your Christmas bubble.
9. Nativity plays and school productions
Performances by pupils, such as nativity plays and other seasonal events, should take place within existing school bubbles and avoid mixing across groups.
Whether audience members, including parents, are permitted to attend festive performances will depend on the tier in their area.
In tiers 1 and 2, audiences are permitted to attend, subject to the appropriate safeguards being in place.
In tier 3, audiences are not permitted. In these areas, schools can use alternative methods such as live-streaming and recording performance.
-- to www.cambridge-news.co.uk
