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With five days of freedom during the holiday period, it really starts to look a lot like Christmas.
The decision of lift the confinement between December 23 and 27 It has sparked a national conversation, in homes and workplaces.
Sky News spoke to four people from different walks of life – some are happy, others are still concerned about the new rules.
Manchester dean questions safety of Christmas rules
Manchester’s turbulent weather during this pandemic has meant that the doors to the city’s cathedral have mostly remained closed.
But as the rules relax for the holidays, families will be able to return.
For many it will be a flash of joy, but for Manchester Dean Rogers Govender, it is a disturbing move.
“It’s exciting, joyous, wonderful, but I’m really worried … is it really safe?” he asks.
“If I’m honest, I would prefer that the restrictions remain in place and that the home mix is delayed until people start getting vaccinated.
“My feelings are mixed … as much as I want to encourage people to come to church for the Christmas service, the idea of bubbles mixing the homes upsets me enormously.”
She adds: “If you celebrate and celebrate Christmas this year slightly differently by staying safe and socially distant, it won’t be the end of the world.
“Delay it a year, save your life and save the lives of others.”
For the hospitality sector, the pandemic has been difficult from a financial point of view.
Christmas is usually the busiest time of the year, but since the three-household bubble rule doesn’t apply to restaurants, pubs, or bars, the chance of cash back is limited.
Restaurateur David Fox says he feels like we’ve been ‘underwater for nearly four months’
David Fox, owner of several branches of the pan-Asian restaurant Tampopo, struggles to understand the new rules.
“It’s deeply frustrating, I feel like we’ve been underwater for almost four months, it’s really infuriating to think that we’re going to get some air again and that we’re being pushed down again with very little evidence,” he said. He says.
“We have significantly lower revenue than normal, especially in the run-up to what would normally be the busiest time.”
He adds: “Having a few of those five days open to receive the most people would be huge. Will the bubbles mix safely within the hospitality or at home? I think everyone knows the answer.”
And how will these new rules look through the eyes of our already snooty NHS personal?
Dr. Indeewar Kapila believes restrictions should remain during the holiday season
Dr. Indeewar Kapila is an intensive care consultant, the perfect gift for him would be a COVID-19 room.
“I am deeply concerned to hear that there will be a Christmas bubble period that will inevitably lead to increased infections, people entering the hospital with COVID, and increasing numbers of people dying with it,” he says.
He acknowledges the “need for people to come together during the festive period”, but says that people “will inevitably suffer as a consequence of this.”
“The government has not relaxed on other festive occasions, I think we should continue with the restrictions during the Christmas period,” adds Dr. Kapila.
This is a boost for the nation, yet families finally got a break from the virus.
Suzanne Wiggins says extended Christmas break feels like ‘winning the lottery’
Suzanne Wiggins, a Manchester grandmother, has already decorated the front of her house and is making plans with two other households on how to spend her five days of Christmas.
“It’s like winning the lottery, I can do a lot in five days. I can see all my loved ones who I missed terribly, I can’t wait,” he says.
“There has been nothing but bad news all year, people dying, so now we have something to look forward to.
Suzanne Wiggins has already decorated her home
“I haven’t seen these people in months, it was just a strange phone call. It’s terrible not being able to hug my family, I can’t wait to do it, and just be with them.
“It feels like losing weight, I have something to look forward to, something to focus on.”
