DOWNING Street has announced a UK-wide approach to Christmas to let people from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland see each other from Christmas.
Travel bans in areas with the worst rates of coronavirus infections will be lifted for a short period of time.
It means people who live in Tier 3 areas in England who are currently told not to travel to areas with low infections rates can see family for the festive season.
People in Tier 2 areas who were previously told to follow the same rules even if they do travel to other areas will be able to see families in “festive bubbles”
Three households will be allowed to see one another indoors for five days from December 23 to December 27 and travel across the UK without restrictions for those 5 days.
The lifting of travel bans means there could be a mad rush on train tickets as people try to get home for Christmas.
Mr Johnson is set to announce on Thursday which areas will fall into which Tiers – and it is most of England will be in Tier 2 or 3.
People living under drastic rules Level 3 and 4 lockdown rules in Scotland will also be allowed to leave their area to see family.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had made it illegal for people to leave their local area if they are in the worst-hit areas, but this will be lifted for the five day period.
Similar travel restrictions in Wales and Northern Ireland will also be freed for a limited period of time.
In Northern Ireland, the Christmas period will be extended by one day either side so they have time to travel.
It means people will have from December 22 to December 28 to see family in Northern Ireland.
But leaders from the four nations have urged people to be very careful over the festive break – and not to push the rules past the limits.
