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Covid-19: UK leaders discuss easing of rules at Christmas Covid-19: UK leaders reach deal on easing of Christmas rules
(32 minutes later)
Plans to allow families to meet over Christmas are being discussed by the leaders of all four UK nations. A deal to allow families to meet over Christmas has been reached 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. A source told the BBC that details on how Covid restrictions will be relaxed will be announced shortly.
The first ministers of Wales and Scotland both said they were hopeful a "common" framework could be agreed. Scotland's first minister said she would "continue to ask people to err on the side of caution".
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. Glenn Campbell said the leaders have also been 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 a meeting of the UK government's emergency committee Cobra, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford 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".
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.
She added: "I know everyone has a desire to see loved ones over the festive period.
"However, there is also a very real and a very legitimate anxiety that doing so could put those we love at risk, set back our progress as a country and result in unnecessary deaths and suffering."
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 testTravellers can cut quarantine if they pay for test
Act responsibly over Christmas, asks DrakefordAct 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.
What to do about Christmas divides opinion.
Increased mixing indoors will certainly mean there is greater transmission of the virus.
But, as chief medical adviser Prof Chris Whitty said on Monday, there is a balance to be struck between the harm the virus can cause and the societal and economic impacts of trying to control it.
He called for a "public-spirited approach".
By that he means adhering to the restrictions in the lead up to Christmas, being responsible with the opportunity the relaxation gives people and then immediately switching back to compliance.
If that happens any impact could be minimised - and, of course, it will be up to individuals to decide just how much they mix within the rules.
These are very fine judgement calls by ministers.
They hope Christmas will provide respite and help steel the public for what is clearly going to be a long, hard winter.
They also feel they have little choice, believing large numbers of people would ignore pleas not to mix and this way they can provide advice on how to enjoy Christmas as safely as possible.
But there is also the risk by sanctioning it there will be more mixing than there would have otherwise been.
'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 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 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 numbersCoronavirus 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.
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 iPlayerNO EVENING PLANS?: We have you covered. Thrillingly tense, belly-laugh funny, mind-warpingly weird box sets to binge on BBC iPlayer