“We cannot continue with Christmas as planned” says Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Words Sarah Adama

Credit: Jam Travels / Shutterstock.com; London, UK - April 2020: Piccadilly Circus during coronavirus lockdown

Following a rise in infection rates and concerns of a new variant of COVID-19, the Prime Minister has ordered that London and South East areas of England will move to Tier 4; the strictest alert level. Non-essential retail, indoor gyms, leisure facilities and personal care services must close their doors from midnight. Places of worship will remain open. People are advised to work from home if possible.

When it comes to Christmas day, the instruction is clear as day. Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty has instructed those in Tier 4 planning to leave before the rules change, “If you’ve packed your bag for Christmas, unpack it.”

Previously, areas in Tiers 1, 2 and 3 were given a five-day, three household Christmas bubble. It will now be limited to Christmas day itself. The affected areas in this new Tier 4 will not be allowed to mix with different households other than their own on Christmas day, except support and childcare bubbles.

Those wishing to travel out of their area may do so before the deadline but attempts to travel of the affected areas past midnight would be breaking the law. 

International travel will not be permitted, holidaymakers will have to remain local. There are limited exceptions which include travelling for work purposes.

The government has also alerted other countries of the new mutant strain of COVID-19 discovered in the U.K. Tier 4 ‘Stay at Home’ will take effect in law from tonight.

The rules will be reviewed on December 30th, 2020. 

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