COVID-19: Millions spending historic Christmas apart from loved ones

sky news africa COVID-19: Millions spending historic Christmas Day apart from loved ones

UNITED KINGDOM

Millions of people in the UK are spending a historic Christmas Day apart from loved ones as restrictions limit the number of people who can meet.

Families had originally hoped to be taking advantage of a five-day relaxation of measures from 23 to 27 December, but the emergence of a more transmissible variant of coronavirus meant the rules had to be tightened.

Those living in Tier 4 areas in England are not allowed to meet people outside their own household or support bubble.

Those in Tier 1, 2 and 3 areas are allowed to form a “Christmas bubble” limited to three households on Christmas Day only.

Another six million people are set to enter Tier 4 from a minute past midnight on Boxing Day. 

The change will mean 24 million people, representing 43% of the population of England, are living under the strictest measures.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have already announced new lockdowns from Boxing Day, while Wales’s tough restrictions will only be eased for Christmas Day before being reimposed.

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