UK Government Unveils Special Christmastime Restrictions

Like many other countries United Kingdom has been experiencing a second wave of Coronavirus cases, causing the UK government to enforce several new schemes to slow the spread of the virus. Recently, the UK was put into another nationwide lockdown for the duration of November, although, this lockdown was not as severe, nor restrictive as the first lockdown earlier in the year. As the UK approached the end of the short lockdown, scheduled for the 2nd of December, the UK government announced a tightening of restrictions and proposed a relaxation of these rules for a definitive period of time over the Christmas holidays.

Boris Johnson, the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, alongside his governing party announced that, post-lockdown, the UK would be returning to the previously imposed tiered system. Similar to a traffic light system, different areas of England will be placed into one of three tiers depending on that area’s outbreak severity. These tiers are categorized as very high, high, and medium and relate to the risk level of catching SARs-CoV-2. Each tier will have its own set of rules and restrictions that the area will need to comply with when placed into a certain tier. Prior to the second lockdown, some areas which were struggling with high outbreak levels were placed into an exclusive lockdown. This time around, the government has announced it will be tightening restriction rules, placing most of the country into the high tier level.

Rules within the high tier include: a ban on socializing indoors with anyone you do not live with, or anyone who is not in a households’ ‘support bubble.’ Groups of a maximum of six are only allowed to meet outside, shops and services are allowed to open if covid-secure, pubs and restaurants will have to shut at 11.00pm and can only open if they serve substantial meals. If the area is in the ‘very high category’ all shops and venues will close and only mixing with six people outside will be allowed. In most categories travelling between areas is not advised. Mass testing program’s will apparently be launched in tier 3 (very high) areas, which will be rolled out by the British Army.

However, these tougher restrictions will be lifted for a short period of time around the Christmas Holidays, in an attempt to allow people to see loved ones and enjoy a semblance of the Christmas spirit after a long year of restrictions and uncertainty.

The UK Government wrote in a statement on their website: ‘This cannot be a ‘normal’ Christmas. But as we approach the festive period, we have been working closely together to find a way for family and friends to see each other, even if it is for a short time, and recognizing that it must be both limited and cautious. Even where it is within the rules, meeting with friends and family over Christmas will be a personal judgement for individuals to take, mindful of the risks to themselves and others, particularly those who are vulnerable. We need everyone to think carefully about what they do during this period, balancing some increased social contact with the need to keep the risk of increased transmission of the virus as low as possible.’

The Christmas period allowances will allow travel between areas across England within the period of the 23rd to the 27th of December, which was previously restricted. Up to three households will be allowed to form an ‘exclusive’ bubble for that period, and thus gather during this period. Once a bubble is formed, it cannot be extended or changed to include or swap out other households. A households’ ‘Christmas bubble’ will be able to attend a place of worship, stay inside or go to an outdoor public place but most venues will be restricted during this time and a bubble cannot visit places like restaurants, pubs or bars.

Although this move from the government seems like an act of compassion rather than a ‘scientifically safe’ lifting of restrictions in the face of the coronavirus, some scientists are calling on the government to publish the advice given to them by the SAGE committee (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies). In an article for The Guardian Prof Gabriel Scally, visiting professor of public health at the University of Bristol said ‘information from the government’s advisers was important to decisions about how to celebrate Christmas, adding: “People have got choice and agency in a lot of this and in order to be able to exercise those choices wisely they deserve to be able to see the scientific advice.”

Dr. Julian Tang, clinical virologist at the University of Leicester, was also quoted: “I do not think Sage will have evidence to show that enhanced mixing is going to be beneficial in terms of stopping the virus from spreading, if anything it will increase the virus spread … The reason that the government and Sage are … giving this amnesty of five days is more of a psychosocial, emotional side of what Christmas means to people.”