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Families from three households will be able to celebrate Christmas together across the UK, as Mirror has understood.
Three households will be able to bubble together between December 23 and 27 inclusive, in a festive relaxation of the coronavirus rules, the sources said.
The plans were approved by leaders of all UK nations at a COBRA meeting on Tuesday afternoon, led by Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove.
The new rules will apply in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, all of which are currently under separate coronavirus restrictions.
The five-day Christmas waiver will replace new tier restrictions that take effect on December 2, which prohibit homes from mixing indoors in Level 2 and 3 areas.
Full details are expected to be made public shortly.
(Image: Getty Images)
Boris Johnson admitted there would be risks in allowing people to get together over the Christmas period, saying it is the “season to be very careful.”
However, the ministers were determined to give families a chance to reunite after months of restrictions.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has warned the British of the prospect of transport chaos, if everyone tries to get trains at the short window.
He warned that services could be limited by engineering works and the need to maintain social distancing on the railways.
He told BBC Breakfast: “We have to understand that there are limitations on the (rail) network caused, for example, by things like the need for some trains to book tickets in advance at this time, to avoid overcrowding.
“So we are going to call on people to look very carefully at the transport route they take.
“And of course, even make a decision about whether or not they will travel.”
People in England will know what level they will place themselves at once the lockdown ends on Thursday.
More regions than before the closure are expected to face Level 2 or Level 3 restrictions, with stricter rules for hospitality in areas with high infection rates.
At Level 2, alcohol can only be consumed with a “substantial meal”, while pubs and restaurants on Level 3 may only offer take-out or delivery services.
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