To make sure people in Gloucestershire enjoy Christmas in the safest way possible after such a tough year, Gloucestershire County Council is reminding everyone that although 2020 is nearly over, Covid isn’t.
Traditionally, the festive period is all about getting together with friends and family to celebrate – but what exactly can we do to celebrate, stay safe and stay within the rules this Christmas?
Gloucestershire is subject to the government’s Tier 3 restrictions over the festive period and beyond, with the exception of Christmas Day 2020 when a maximum of three households can form a Christmas bubble. The county will enter Tier 3 at 00.01am on Saturday 26 December 2020.
What do Tier 3 restrictions mean for people in Gloucestershire?
Tier 3 restrictions mean residents must not meet anyone indoors that they do not live or have a support bubble with. Residents can meet with up to six people that they do not live with in some public outdoor spaces, such as parks, forests and public gardens, while maintaining two metre social distancing.
People will not be able to eat at Gloucestershire’s restaurants and pubs, but venues will be allowed to offer takeaway services. Only essential shopping is allowed, and face coverings must be worn inside and where social distancing is more difficult.
Gloucestershire residents should not travel to other parts of the country while the county is in Tier 3, unless they are providing essential care to a vulnerable person.
What are the rules on Christmas Day 2020?
On Friday 25 December 2020, people will be allowed to form an exclusive Christmas bubble with a maximum of two other households – although, the safest way for people to enjoy the season is to spend Christmas Day with their own household or support bubble.
If an individual chooses to form a Christmas bubble, they are encouraged to keep it small and maintain as much distance as possible when together. Overnight stays are not allowed.
People will be able to travel between tiers 1, 2 and 3 to form their Christmas bubble and to provide essential support to a vulnerable person, but staying local will help prevent the spread of the virus.
Households can only be in one Christmas bubble for the day, so once bubbles are formed, they can’t be changed.
Bubbles will only be able to meet in private homes or gardens, places of worship or public outdoor spaces, although groups of up to six people from different households can still meet up outside in a public place while maintaining two metre social distancing.
Gloucestershire will be subject to Tier 3 restrictions from 00.01am on Saturday 26 December 2020 and Christmas bubbles will no longer apply.
For more information, visit gloucestershire.gov.uk.
