Covid Christmas rules explained

Downing Street has said there are no plans to shorten the period over Christmas in which social distancing will be relaxed amid concerns over increasing coronavirus rates.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “No. We’ve set out the details of the Christmas guidelines.

“There are no plans to review the Christmas guidance. What we’ve said alongside that is that the public should continue to be cautious.

“I think the Prime Minister said it’s the season to be jolly careful and we would emphasise that we should continue to do that."

But what are the rules for between December 23 and 27? Here's a reminder of the key points

• Travel restrictions will be lifted across the UK for five days to enable people from different households to gather.
• Those travelling to and from Northern Ireland will be permitted to travel for an additional day either side.
• Up to three households will be able to come together to form a “Christmas bubble” during that period.
• Members of a bubble can meet at home, in places of worship and in outdoor public places.
• Bubbles must be fixed for the duration of the period and cannot be changed.
• Children under 18 whose parents live apart can be a part of both parents’ bubbles if they chose to form different groupings.
• In England, students who have returned home for the holidays are treated a part of their family household, rather than their student household, for the purposes of forming a Christmas bubble. The rules may vary in other administrations when detailed regulations are published.
• Bubble members will not be required to follow social distancing while they are together – although they are advised to exercise caution if there are vulnerable people involved.
• Members will not be able to get together in pubs or restaurants and restrictions on hospitality will be maintained depending on which tier people are living under.
• People are advised to reduce unnecessary contact with those they do not live with in the two weeks before they join a bubble.

Top tips for managing over Christmas

Here is what the advice, from the Environmental and Modelling Group (EMG) and the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours (SPI-B) dated November 26, said:

1. Have an online gathering

​Postpone to a later date or opt for the great outdoors. From the outset, the experts recommend considering whether a physical gathering is really “essential”, or whether it could be held at another time in the future, or online instead.

2. Have an event outdoors

The scientists accept that social events and celebrations in winter “pose a particular challenge”, but they reiterate that the virus is much less likely to transmit between people if you are outside. They suggest meeting for a walk, or for a “distanced drink” outside someone’s house or in a public place.

3. Travel safely 

Picking up vulnerable relatives by car carries an increased risk of spreading Covid-19, experts warn. Scientists said there is “a small amount of evidence relating to public transport, and growing concern that car-sharing poses a high risk due to the confined space”. Their advice is to wear face coverings, open windows, keep journeys as short as possible and avoid unnecessary travel with people outside of your own household.

4. Limit the time spent together

Scientists recommend limiting the length of interactions, especially if people are mixing indoors. They said those “should be restricted as much as possible and reserved for short duration quality time”. Experts recommend avoiding overnight visits and limiting people from different households sharing rooms to reduce cross transmission risks.

They say children should share a room with their parents rather than children from different households if staying over.

5. Limit the number of people who meet, and choose the largest space possible

Scientists suggest spacing people further apart at the dinner table.

Scientists said cutting the number of people who meet can help reduce the risk and recommend gathering “in the largest space that is feasible”.

They advise on “simple actions” like rearranging furniture and taking turns to cook and wash up in order to avoid crowding and help people keep a safe distance from one another.

6. Open windows

Poorly ventilated spaces pose a higher risk, the scientists said, as they acknowledged the greater likelihood of this happening in cold winter weather when people keep windows closed.

They recommend “short-term airing” – by opening windows for between 10 and 15 minutes every hour.

They said extractor fans, especially in kitchens and bathrooms that visitors use, can also help, and again recommend wearing face coverings when people are not eating or drinking “to reduce risk further”.

7. Ditch the board games in favour of a quiz

Board games involving shared objects are not recommended, experts say.

Games involving lots of shared objects, such as board games, are not recommended. Scientists say these could be substituted for quiz-based games.

If shared objects are involved, make sure there is good hand hygiene and do your best to avoid touching your face during the activities, the experts say.

9. Don’t make a song and dance

Festive singalongs indoors are not recommended, with experts saying several studies have shown that singing is associated with a high transmission risk especially if ventilation is poor.

And dancing along to your favourite Christmas tunes is not advised either, with scientists saying aerobic activities like high-energy dance fitness have been linked to outbreaks, explaining that this is probably down to higher breathing rates.

They recommend avoiding singing or dancing in indoor spaces, but say that, where this does happen, “limiting the loudness of singing and the duration of activities” and ensuring good ventilation and space between people “are likely to reduce risks”.

9. Hygiene is key

Hygiene is key at Christmas get-togethers.

Make sure tissues, wipes, and sanitiser aplenty are all available at any gathering and remember to provide bins to dispose of these.

To remind young children especially, consider using signs and stickers, scientists say.

They state that people should wash or sanitise hands before a meal and ensure those cooking or serving food also practise good hygiene.

10. Elbow bumps rather than hugs

Scientists advise that people should avoid physical contact “as far as possible”, especially anything involving face-face or face-hand contact.

They suggest “gestures such as elbow bumps or air greetings could be used as alternatives”.

They add: “If there is physical contact it is a good idea to keep it to the minimum duration, turn faces away and wash hands afterwards.”

11. Plan your gathering

The scientists suggest a “household plan” could be drawn up to “include agreements around managing activities and the physical environment”.

They said it is beneficial to “explicitly consider vulnerable people and how they may be able to participate safely” and note particularly events involving children where they might be mixing with people who are vulnerable to serious consequences from infection.

They said the plan is most likely to be successful “if it is clear and accessible for all those involved”, suggesting a physical or digital document or checklist to ensure everyone involved “is aware of the ‘rules’ they have agreed collaboratively”.