[ad_1]
Michael Gove will chair a COBRA meeting with delegated administrations later on as discussions continue on the Christmas rules, according to government sources.
Ministers are trying to agree on a relaxation approach across the UK COVID-19 restrictions during the holiday period with the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Live updates on coronavirus from the UK and around the world
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
PM: Normal is coming, but not until spring
Talks between the Cabinet Office minister and the delegated governments are expected to begin around 4:00 p.m.
Ministers are working on plans for three homes and a five-day break, from Christmas Eve until December 28, subject to agreement between the four nations of the United Kingdom.
“We have been clear in our desire to try to agree on a four-nation approach that will allow families to come together over the Christmas period,” said Boris Johnson’s spokesman.
“We continue to work with the decentralized nations to agree on a plan that will allow families to get together over Christmas.
“That work is in progress and then there will be a Cobra meeting to discuss it.”
In response to questions from MPs about select committees for health and welfare and science and technology, Matt Hancock said that Christmas would not look the same as usual.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
‘This virus will not grant a Christmas truce’
When asked if the focus on Christmas could be considered “unfair” to people who would have loved to have celebrated Eid and Diwali, the health secretary said: “I am very sensitive on this point, we thought about it and we we compromised and we have discussed it.
“The conclusion we have reached, with which I very much agree, is that Christmas as a national holiday is the most important national holiday we have.
“Of course it has a particular importance for Christians, but it is an important national holiday for everyone in this country.
“So, while of course we consider the impact on those of other faiths, Christmas is a special time for everyone in this country.”
Scotland’s Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Monday that “we are moving towards a common position in the UK” on a relaxation of restrictions at Christmas, thus probably ” [that] some households can form slightly larger bubbles with each other for a short time. “
Meanwhile, Welsh Health Minister Vaughan Gething said the four nations were discussing “the potential for a limited period of time to relax the rules a bit.”
:: Subscribe to the daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
If a deal is reached, the prime minister is expected to set out how the families could reunite over Christmas later this week.
Speaking via video link at a Downing Street press conference on Monday, Johnson said Christmas will be “different” than in previous years, stating: “It is the season to be joyous, but also the season to be Very careful”.
He added: “We want to make sure we have a solution for Christmas that everyone can share, understand and respect across the UK.”
Addressing MPs in the Commons that same day, the prime minister said families would have to make a “careful judgment” on visiting elderly relatives.
He said COVID-19 “is obviously not going to grant a Christmas truce” and warned that if people “spoil it with a great Christmas,” the country will pay for it with stricter restrictions heading into 2021.
The prime minister was speaking while confirmed that the second lockdown will end on December 2 in England and a strengthened tier system will come into force.
