Boris Johnson announces big change to Christmas bubbles
Boris Johnson has announced tougher restrictions for everyone over Christmas
Last updated 19th Dec 2020
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced tougher coronavirus restrictions just days ahead of Christmas.
The Christmas bubble plans have been dramatically scaled back and millions of people living in London and the South East have been put into a new Tier 4.
There is a new strain of coronavirus which is causing the infection rate to increase and as a result the Prime Minister has announced different rules for Christmas.
Here's everything you need to know:
What are the new covid-19 restrictions?
The Prime Minister announced that all areas in the South East that are currently in Tier three will now be in a new Tier 4 from Sunday.
Tier 4 restrictions are broadly similar to the lockdown rules that were in place in November.
Non-essential shops, gyms, cinemas, hairdressers and bowling alleys will be forced to close for two weeks – while people will be restricted to meeting one other person from another household in an outdoor public space.
In his press conference Boris Johnson also announced the Christmas relaxation would now be severely restricted.
The Christmas “bubble” policy – allowing up to three household to meet up over the holiday period has severely curtailed.
How will the new Covid-19 rules affect Christmas?
Boris Johnson announced a dramatic scaling back of the Government’s “Christmas bubble” plans, saying he did so “with a very heavy heart”.
In Tier 4, people should not mix with anyone outside their own household, although support bubbles will remain in place.
In Tiers 1-3 in England the rules allowing a maximum of three households to mix will be restricted to Christmas Day only.
The Prime Minister said: “I know how much emotion people invest in this time of year, and how important it is, for instance, for grandparents to see their grandchildren, for families to be together.
“So I know how disappointing this will be.
“But we have said throughout this pandemic that we must and we will be guided by the science.
Why have these new coronavirus rules been put in place?
The new variant coronavirus can spread more rapidly, England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, has said.
But he stressed that there was currently no evidence that the new strain causes higher mortality rates or affected vaccines and treatments.