The rules around complex Christmas bubbles explained for Cornwall
Public health officials have set out the guidelines
One of Cornwall’s public health officials has set out the guidelines for people who want to spend Christmas with other households.
Dr Ruth Goldstein, lead public health consultant at Cornwall Council, admitted that the rules for Christmas were “complex” and wanted to make sure that people were clear about what they can and cannot do.
She said that there were clear differences as to how people can behave should they decide to follow the Government’s Christmas bubble guidelines.
Between December 23 and December 27 people will be able to choose to form an exclusive Christmas bubble made up of people from no more than three households.
Dr Goldstein stressed that if people choose to do this they must then remain within that bubble for the whole period.
She said: “There is an awful lot of confusion about what that means. It is not a simple concept and we will be putting out some thorough guidance in the next week about Christmas bubbles.”
Dr Goldstein said that the Government had created the concept of Christmas bubbles to ensure that people would be able to meet up and celebrate with their families which she said would also help with people’s mental health and wellbeing.
“It is important that people have the opportunity to see their loved ones around the end of the year and that Christmas period.
“But if people choose to do that it is important that they follow the guidelines. Some people will choose not to as they are concerned about the spread at this time. Some people may think it is more important to see loved ones.
“Whatever you choose you must do it in the safest way. Between December 23 and December 27 people can get together – three families can form a bubble.
“Me and my family here, my brother and his family in London and my sister and her family in Newcastle could form a bubble – we could meet in one of our homes or we could meet outside on a beach or park and exchange gifts.
“But we can only be in that one bubble. I could spend that time with my brother and sister but we have stay in one place, we can’t go to a pub or restaurant.
“Also I can’t go (to see them) on the 23rd and then join my husband’s family’s bubble on the 24th.
“You don’t have to meet those people for the whold five days but once you have that bubble you can’t deviate from that in those five days.
“If you choose not to be in a Christmas bubble that is fine, you can revert to the rule of six, you and five other individuals, who must not be part of a Christmas bubble, can meet up normally.
“If my family are not part of a Christmas bubble we can meet with five other people at a pub or restaurant. But I have to make that decision before Christmas.
“I either have a Christmas bubble or the rule of six – you can’t do both.”
So, if you decide to have a Christmas bubble that can have people from three households in it and they can meet between December 23 and December 27.
But they must meet at one location – that can be one of their homes or at a venue outdoors. They would not be able to meet at a pub or restaurant.
If you choose to have a bubble then you cannot then move to another bubble or meet others under the rule of six.
But, if you choose not to have a Christmas bubble, and celebrate Christmas with your own household, you can meet others under the rule of six, but only if they are also not in a Christmas bubble.
Dr Goldstein had more advice for how those who choose to have a Christmas bubble should behave over the Christmas period.
She said: “You must continue to respect hand hygiene and also make sure you clean down surfaces. If you hug don’t do it too often and ventilate the rooms that you are in and limit the close contact you have with people.”