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The UK government and decentralized administrations agreed on a joint plan to relax social distancing rules during the festive period, allowing friends and family to hug for the first time in months. A joint statement issued by the four UK governments said they had been working closely to find a way for family and friends to see each other, recognizing that it must be “limited and cautious”.
Each Christmas bubble can meet at home, in a place of worship, or in a public place in the open air, but the existing and more restrictive rules on hospitality and other venues will be in place for the entire period.
But the Scottish Prime Minister has broken ranks by declaring that the existing “bubbles” will not be treated as a single home in Scotland during the festive season.
He said mixing bubbles would be “going too far,” as he could see up to six households mixing in one place.
And in a sign of possible tougher rules to come, the SNP leader said Scots should send gift vouchers to their loved ones this Christmas instead of gifts.
The SNP-led government is expected to issue guidance on how Scots should celebrate Christmas on Thursday.
Sturgeon cautioned that the council “would seek to adjust around the edges rather than expand further.”
He also said that anyone heading to the Scottish islands to celebrate Christmas will not be granted additional days to travel.
His proposed plan is in stark contrast to the holiday rules that will be implemented in Northern Ireland, England and Wales.
READ MORE: Can I stay in a hotel during Christmas?
Sturgeon’s warning comes after Boris Johnson said that up to three households can gather inside for celebrations over the Christmas period.
As part of a temporary five-day easing of some restrictions, the prime minister said people will be able to mingle in homes and places of worship from December 23 to 27.
He also said travel restrictions would be removed.
Johnson told families to make a “personal judgment” about the coronavirus risks to vulnerable loved ones when a Christmas bubble forms and urged them to “think carefully.”
Welsh Prime Minister Mark Drakeford has said that the decision to agree to a relaxation of the restrictions during Christmas was to avoid “freedom for all”.
Drakeford told Good Morning Britain: “I think it was very clear to us from the advice we received at the Cobra meeting, but also from what we heard in Wales, that unless we found a formula that would allow people to meet during the Christmas, It was highly unlikely that people would be willing to abide by the current level of restrictions that we have here in Wales.
“So the choice was between a form of guided meeting over Christmas or people just coming up with their own solutions.”
He said “it is not about encouraging people” to gather during the festive period.
On Wednesday, the UK recorded its highest daily death toll from COVID since early May.
Another 696 people died within 28 days of testing positive for the virus, according to the government’s coronavirus control panel.
This is the highest daily total since 726 deaths were reported on May 5, but a midweek spike may be due to delays in reporting deaths over the weekend.
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