COST OF XMAS
Lockdown rules ‘could be relaxed for a WEEK of Christmas freedom’ – but tough Covid restrictions until then
COVID lockdown rules could be relaxed for a WEEK over Christmas but Brits would be hit by tough restrictions until late December, reports claim.
Families will be granted up to seven days of festive freedom from December 22-28 under new Government plans.
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Boris Johnson is set to announce a nationwide relaxation in measures allowing several families to join in one "bubble", reports.
But this will only take place if the public adheres to the current strict lockdown – which is due to end by December 2.
The move would allow relatives to spend several days together and wouldn't have to choose between grandparents.
But Public Health England officials have already warned every day of easing would demand "five days of tighter restrictions".
This paves the way for 25 days of lockdown in the New Year.
'FLATTENING THE WAVE'
It comes as Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Britain is “heading in the right direction” as he addressed the nation on Friday.
Mr Hancock said the coronavirus second wave peak is “flattening” as 20,252 more cases and 511 new deaths were recorded.
Speaking at No10's covid press conference, he added: “These figures are promising and they show the second peak is flattening.
These figures are promising and they show the second peak is flattening.
Matt Hancock
"We are clearly near the peak of this second increase and the second wave."
The Health Secretary also revealed that vaccinations will start next month if Pfizer's vaccine is cleared by the safety regulator.
Mr Hancock said: "If the regulator approves a vaccine we will be ready to start the vaccination next month with the bulk of the rollout next year."
The Health Secretary said data is already being supplied by Pfizer, with full data in the coming days and described the progress as "another important step forward.”
He added: "We're heading in the right direction but there is still a long way to go."
XMAS CHEER
Ministers are due to announce a new system of regional restrictions next week for the period after December 2.
Government scientists are pushing for the three-tier system to be strengthened in the run-up to Christmas to prevent an upsurge in infections.
But the PM wants to relax Covid rules over Christmas to allow families to come together "at the end of what has been an incredibly difficult year".
However, at Friday's press conference Mr Hancock stopped short of revealing whether the lockdown could be extended after the original end date of December 2.
He said that ministers have not yet made a decision on Christmas - but all four UK nations are working together on the issue.
Deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van Tamm added: "The government clearly wants to give us a break to some extent at Christmas, we as citizens want a break.
“But there are no magic numbers about on days of Christmas and days of payback in terms of lockdown."
FESTIVE FREEDOM
Earlier this week, The Sun exclusively revealed that families could be allowed to mix between households.
Groups of up to three or four households could be allowed to meet up – provided they meet with no one else during the festive period.
But it's not yet clear whether there would be an upper limit on the number allowed to gather in one place during the festivities.
With Christmas Eve falling on a Thursday and a planned Bank Holiday for Monday December 28, ministers are targeting the six-day weekend to ease restrictions.
Young children could also be exempt from any numerical restrictions during the Christmas period.
Dr Thomas House, a member of a Sage sub-group, said: "We saw how quickly the virus exploded when students returned to university, so want to avoid that.
"But everything has risk, and seeing family over Christmas may be seen as an acceptable risk."
Dr Susan Hopkins, a director at Public Health England, also said: "We are very keen that we have a Christmas as close to normal as possible.
"That requires all of us to make every effort over this national restriction period and even in early December to get the cases as low as possible and to reduce the risk of transmission within households and between families.
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"A final decision will rest with the Government."
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Addressing the Government's plans for Christmas, Dame Angela McLean said: "We did send some advice in over the weekend.
"But we genuinely don't know what decisions have been made."
UK Covid cases fall for second week in a row with 19,609 infections and 529 deaths as Christmas hopes grow
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