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Britons affected by the travel disruption could still see the family in their Christmas bubbles after Dec. 27, a loophole revealed.
Groups of up to three households affected by “unforeseen travel interruptions” can take advantage of the rule, government guidance published today shows.
Regulations suggest that the five-day Christmas bubble could be extended by at least one day if a family member’s train is late or their car breaks down.
Only one person in the bubble has to be delayed for the relaxation of restrictions on Christmas gatherings to apply to everyone.
The regulation says: “This subparagraph applies when one or more people in the meeting have not been able to return home due to an unforeseen interruption of the trip.”
Any extension could take place “immediately after the Christmas period”.
The new guidance was unveiled as the country prepares to exit the Covid lockdown on Wednesday.
BUBBLE EXTENSION
Social distancing and travel rules will be removed by the holiday bubbles on December 23-27.
Students can also go home starting Thursday, before returning to schools and colleges before February 8.
But with 99 percent of England at levels 2 or 3, most families bubbly for Christmas still won’t be able to go to the pub together.
Domestic mixing is not allowed inside Level 2 bars or restaurants, but up to six punters can meet outside.
Drinkers must serve “hearty meals” to open their doors, and delighted drinkers are told they can order a drink if they buy a Scotch egg.
Pubs on Level 3 are closed, except for take away drinks.
Around 16 million people in Level 3 areas are expected to be downgraded to Level 2 on the first review in just over two weeks.
The loopholes in the rules mean that level 2 drinkers can still enjoy a drink without food at a movie theater, soccer game, or hotel.
The recently released Tiers laws say the substantial food clause “does not apply when alcohol is provided to a customer in a movie theater, theater, concert hall or sports field.”
Under the new rules, 4,000 fans can watch sports in outdoor venues on Level 1, while 2,000 fans are allowed in Level 2 areas, or up to 50 percent of capacity, whichever is less.
And theaters and cinemas can accommodate 1,000 people indoors, or up to half the venues’ seating limit.
Level 3 locations must remain closed.
Parliamentarians will vote tomorrow on the new tiers of government rules, and Labor will announce tonight that they will abstain, meaning a Commons vote is almost certain to pass.
Deaths rose today by 205, with the total number now at 58,450.
In a letter to MPs, Boris Johnson said the tier system will be reviewed on December 16.
Boris Johnson has said that the system would contain an “expiration clause” – or expiration date – of February 3, and that MPs would have a chance to vote whether to extend them beyond that date.
He also hinted that on December 16, some Level 3 areas could be downgraded to Level 2, allowing people to go to pubs and restaurants indoors with their familiar bubbles.
“Where the evidence shows that the disease is in steady decline, the areas will move downward,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford announced on Monday that pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes in Wales must now CLOSE every day at 6pm, and alcohol will be banned.
Drakeford cautioned that the facts are “stark” when he announced tough new curbs just weeks after the fire lockdown ended.
Starting at 6pm on Friday, new draconian national measures will go into effect in Wales, imposing heavy curfews and alcohol bans on the hospitality sector.
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