Changes to Christmas Covid-19 guidance
Published on 17 December 2020 02:14 PM
The government has issued further guidance regarding Christmas this year. The law states that we can, if we choose, spend Christmas with up to two other households for the period between 23rd to 27th December known as a Christmas bubble. The government has now stressed that these rules should be seen as maximums and not targets to aim for.
The advice on the government website states that “the safest way to spend this Christmas is with your household or support bubble in your own home”. We are being urged to think very carefully about the risks that we might face if we do form a Christmas bubble. Some of the key things to consider will be:
- All older people are at risk of developing a serious illness from Covid-19, regardless of their health status
- Will anyone be at particular risk in your bubble? Is anyone clinically vulnerable?
- Is anyone more likely to have been exposed to the virus e.g. do they have a public facing job?
- How risky are the activities you are planning over this period?
- Would you have to travel from home? Take precautions to protect yourself from the virus. Check if different rules apply if you are thinking of travelling to Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
- Would you be able to ventilate indoor spaces?
The overall advice is to keep any Christmas activities as short as possible and any Christmas gatherings as small as possible. Cut down on social contacts before Christmas and from 28th December onwards to help minimise the transmission of the virus. The rules are different for New Years’ Eve – you cannot mix with any other households indoors.
Take a look at our more detailed guidance on keeping safe at Christmas here