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Covid-19: Plan Christmas travel 'carefully', says Grant Shapps | Covid-19: Plan Christmas travel 'carefully', says Grant Shapps |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Grant Shapps: People will have to "think about the routes they are taking" | Grant Shapps: People will have to "think about the routes they are taking" |
Christmas travellers should plan journeys carefully and prepare for restrictions on passenger numbers, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says. | Christmas travellers should plan journeys carefully and prepare for restrictions on passenger numbers, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says. |
He said there will be more freedom to visit loved ones next month as all four UK nations move "very close" to agreeing rules on festive gatherings. | He said there will be more freedom to visit loved ones next month as all four UK nations move "very close" to agreeing rules on festive gatherings. |
A meeting between the nations will be held to discuss the rules later. | A meeting between the nations will be held to discuss the rules later. |
It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed tougher tier curbs once England's lockdown ends. | It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed tougher tier curbs once England's lockdown ends. |
Gyms and non-essential shops in all parts of England will be allowed to reopen from 2 December under a strengthened three-tiered system. | Gyms and non-essential shops in all parts of England will be allowed to reopen from 2 December under a strengthened three-tiered system. |
Regions will not find out which tier they are in until Thursday - and the decision will be based on a number of factors including case numbers, the reproduction rate - or R number - and pressure on local NHS services. | Regions will not find out which tier they are in until Thursday - and the decision will be based on a number of factors including case numbers, the reproduction rate - or R number - and pressure on local NHS services. |
Where will mass testing be available? | Where will mass testing be available? |
What will England's new lockdown rules be? | What will England's new lockdown rules be? |
Travellers can cut quarantine if they pay for test | Travellers can cut quarantine if they pay for test |
Speaking about domestic travel during the festive period, Mr Shapps said the government would "have to ask people to take a close look at any proposed journeys and routes they are taking" amid pressure on services. | Speaking about domestic travel during the festive period, Mr Shapps said the government would "have to ask people to take a close look at any proposed journeys and routes they are taking" amid pressure on services. |
He urged those travelling on public transport to pre-book tickets as the capacity of services remains reduced to allow for social distancing and as a result of staff self-isolating. | He urged those travelling on public transport to pre-book tickets as the capacity of services remains reduced to allow for social distancing and as a result of staff self-isolating. |
And he warned "very, very long-planned engineering works" may be scheduled on busy routes over Christmas. | And he warned "very, very long-planned engineering works" may be scheduled on busy routes over Christmas. |
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I would appeal to people to think very carefully about their travel plans and consider where they are going to travel and look at the various alternatives available." | He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I would appeal to people to think very carefully about their travel plans and consider where they are going to travel and look at the various alternatives available." |
Coronavirus restrictions and work from home guidance have led to a sharp reduction in train passenger numbers | Coronavirus restrictions and work from home guidance have led to a sharp reduction in train passenger numbers |
Mr Shapps added that people who live in areas placed in the highest tier of restrictions in England should avoid leaving their region entirely. | Mr Shapps added that people who live in areas placed in the highest tier of restrictions in England should avoid leaving their region entirely. |
"We are dissuading people travelling around generally from the very high tier areas," he said. | "We are dissuading people travelling around generally from the very high tier areas," he said. |
One option discussed by the four UK nations would allow three households to meet up for up to five days next month, BBC deputy political editor Vicki Young previously reported. | One option discussed by the four UK nations would allow three households to meet up for up to five days next month, BBC deputy political editor Vicki Young previously reported. |
Mr Shapps said confirmation of the exact rules would come by Thursday - when people find out which tier their local area will be in - or potentially before then. | Mr Shapps said confirmation of the exact rules would come by Thursday - when people find out which tier their local area will be in - or potentially before then. |
A meeting of the UK government's emergency committee, COBR, will be held on Tuesday afternoon between the four nations to discuss arrangements for Christmas. | A meeting of the UK government's emergency committee, COBR, will be held on Tuesday afternoon between the four nations to discuss arrangements for Christmas. |
'No Christmas truce' | 'No Christmas truce' |
Speaking during a Downing Street news conference on Monday to outline a "Covid-19 winter plan", Mr Johnson admitted Christmas this year would be very different to normal. | Speaking during a Downing Street news conference on Monday to outline a "Covid-19 winter plan", Mr Johnson admitted Christmas this year would be very different to normal. |
"I can't say that Christmas will be normal this year, but in a period of adversity time spent with loved ones is even more precious for people of all faiths and none," he said. | "I can't say that Christmas will be normal this year, but in a period of adversity time spent with loved ones is even more precious for people of all faiths and none," he said. |
"We all want some kind of Christmas; we need it; we certainly feel we deserve it. | "We all want some kind of Christmas; we need it; we certainly feel we deserve it. |
"But this virus obviously is not going to grant a Christmas truce… and families will need to make a careful judgement about the risks of visiting elderly relatives." | "But this virus obviously is not going to grant a Christmas truce… and families will need to make a careful judgement about the risks of visiting elderly relatives." |
SUPPORT BUBBLES: What are they and who can be in yours? | SUPPORT BUBBLES: What are they and who can be in yours? |
FACE MASKS: When do I need to wear one? | FACE MASKS: When do I need to wear one? |
SCHOOLS: What will happen if children catch coronavirus? | SCHOOLS: What will happen if children catch coronavirus? |
TESTING: How do I get a virus test? | TESTING: How do I get a virus test? |
Meanwhile, Mr Shapps announced people arriving in England from many countries will be soon able to reduce their quarantine period by more than half if they pay for a coronavirus test after five days. | Meanwhile, Mr Shapps announced people arriving in England from many countries will be soon able to reduce their quarantine period by more than half if they pay for a coronavirus test after five days. |
The rules will come into force from 15 December and the tests from private firms will cost between £65 and £120. | The rules will come into force from 15 December and the tests from private firms will cost between £65 and £120. |
Elsewhere, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPs the UK's new mass testing capacity could be used after the pandemic to diagnose a wider range of illnesses. | |
He said a British culture of "soldiering on" and going to work despite having symptoms of illnesses, including flu, "should change". | |
"In fact, I want to have a change in the British way of doing things where 'if in doubt, get a test' doesn't just refer to coronavirus, but refers to any illness you might have," he said. | |
A further 15,450 confirmed coronavirus cases were reported in the UK on Monday, with another 206 deaths within 28 days of a positive test recorded. | A further 15,450 confirmed coronavirus cases were reported in the UK on Monday, with another 206 deaths within 28 days of a positive test recorded. |
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics showed the total number of deaths occurring in the UK is nearly a fifth above normal levels. | Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics showed the total number of deaths occurring in the UK is nearly a fifth above normal levels. |
PANORAMA 'LIVERPOOL: FIGHTING COVID': "Living under tier three rules just isn't possible" | PANORAMA 'LIVERPOOL: FIGHTING COVID': "Living under tier three rules just isn't possible" |
NO EVENING PLANS?: We have you covered. Thrillingly tense, belly-laugh funny, mind-warpingly weird box sets to binge on BBC iPlayer | NO EVENING PLANS?: We have you covered. Thrillingly tense, belly-laugh funny, mind-warpingly weird box sets to binge on BBC iPlayer |