Prime Minister has cancelled the five-day Christmas break from coronavirus restrictions.
Boris Johnson announced the changes during a COVID-19 update from 10 Downing Street at 4pm this afternoon.
Now, Christmas Day will be the only day where families will be able to mix – with those in Tier 2 (including Swindon and Wiltshire) allowed to mix with three households on 25 December.
The news comes after a new strain of COVID-19 – known as VUI-202012/01 – was discovered, with the Prime Minister stating that it could be “77% more transmissible”.
“Keep it small, keep it short, keep it local and think of the most vulnerable people”, Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty is advising people who are permitted to socialise on Christmas Day.
Sir Patrick Vallance adds that people should “assume you can be infectious”.
