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Covid-19: UK leaders discuss easing of rules at Christmas | Covid-19: UK leaders discuss easing of rules at Christmas |
(32 minutes later) | |
Plans to allow families to meet over Christmas are being discussed by the leaders of all four UK nations. | Plans to allow families to meet over Christmas are being discussed by the leaders of all four UK nations. |
The talks started at 16:00 GMT and are examining how coronavirus restrictions can be relaxed over the festive period. | |
The first ministers of Wales and Scotland both said they were hopeful a "common" framework could be agreed. | The first ministers of Wales and Scotland both said they were hopeful a "common" framework could be agreed. |
BBC Scotland's chief political correspondent said three households could be allowed to meet indoors over five days between 23-27 December. | BBC Scotland's chief political correspondent said three households could be allowed to meet indoors over five days between 23-27 December. |
Glenn Campbell said the four nations were close to an agreement - with the leaders also considering the lifting of travel restrictions and rules on overnight stays. | |
He added they are expected to urge Britons to use any new flexibility sparingly because public health officials are worried Christmas get-togethers could cause a January spike in Covid cases. | He added they are expected to urge Britons to use any new flexibility sparingly because public health officials are worried Christmas get-togethers could cause a January spike in Covid cases. |
Speaking ahead of the meeting of the UK government's emergency committee Cobra, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said he was "very hopeful" of progress being made - but cautioned any extra freedoms would not be an instruction to do "risky things". | Speaking ahead of the meeting of the UK government's emergency committee Cobra, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said he was "very hopeful" of progress being made - but cautioned any extra freedoms would not be an instruction to do "risky things". |
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also stressed any changes would be "temporary" and "limited" and the Scottish government would "continue to ask people to err on the side of caution". | Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also stressed any changes would be "temporary" and "limited" and the Scottish government would "continue to ask people to err on the side of caution". |
She said that the "details" may differ "to reflect different circumstances in each nation", such as what the definition of a "household" might be. | She said that the "details" may differ "to reflect different circumstances in each nation", such as what the definition of a "household" might be. |
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 |
Act responsibly over Christmas, asks Drakeford | Act responsibly over Christmas, asks Drakeford |
Meanwhile, the government has recorded another 608 deaths of people in the UK who have died within 28 days of a positive Covid test. There were also a further 11,299 cases of people testing positive for coronavirus. | Meanwhile, the government has recorded another 608 deaths of people in the UK who have died within 28 days of a positive Covid test. There were also a further 11,299 cases of people testing positive for coronavirus. |
'Very close' | 'Very close' |
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has acknowledged there would be risks of letting people meet over Christmas but said families should have the chance to reunite. | Prime Minister Boris Johnson has acknowledged there would be risks of letting people meet over Christmas but said families should have the chance to reunite. |
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps earlier said all four UK nations were moving "very close" to agreeing rules on festive gatherings. | Transport Secretary Grant Shapps earlier said all four UK nations were moving "very close" to agreeing rules on festive gatherings. |
But he said Christmas travellers should plan journeys carefully and prepare for restrictions on passenger numbers. | But he said Christmas travellers should plan journeys carefully and prepare for restrictions on passenger numbers. |
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" |
Referring to 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. | Referring to 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. |
Mr Shapps also highlighted Network Rail's plans for a series of upgrades and routine maintenance across Britain between 23 December to 4 January. | Mr Shapps also highlighted Network Rail's plans for a series of upgrades and routine maintenance across Britain between 23 December to 4 January. |
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. |
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. |
'No Christmas truce' | 'No Christmas truce' |
It comes after the prime minister confirmed tougher tier curbs once England's lockdown ends. | It comes after the prime minister 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. |
Areas 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. | Areas 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. |
At 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. | At 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. | 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". | 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. | "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 |