It’s not a target: UK rows back on Christmas easing advice | World
A sign advertising substantial meals from 3 pounds is displayed outside a pub in Covent Garden, London, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. London and some of its surrounding areas will be placed under Britain’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions beginning at 00:01 local time on Wednesday as infections rise rapidly in the capital. Under Tier 3 restrictions, the toughest level in England’s three-tier system, people can’t socialize indoors, and bars, pubs and restaurants must close except for takeout.
A woman dances with purple feathers in the West End of London after pubs close, before London moves into the highest tier of coronavirus restrictions from Wednesday as a result of soaring case rates, Tuesday Dec. 15, 2020.
People walk beneath illuminated signs above Carnaby Street in London, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. London and some of its surrounding areas will be placed under Britain’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions beginning at 00:01 local time on Wednesday as infections rise rapidly in the capital. Under Tier 3 restrictions, the toughest level in England’s three-tier system, people can’t socialize indoors, and bars, pubs and restaurants must close except for takeout.
People sit at tables outside a sandwich shop in central London, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. London and some of its surrounding areas will be placed under Britain’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions beginning at 00:01 local time on Wednesday as infections rise rapidly in the capital. Under Tier 3 restrictions, the toughest level in England’s three-tier system, people can’t socialize indoors, and bars, pubs and restaurants must close except for takeout.
People sit at restaurant and bar tables in central London, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. London and some of its surrounding areas will be placed under Britain’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions beginning at 00:01 local time on Wednesday as infections rise rapidly in the capital. Under Tier 3 restrictions, the toughest level in England’s three-tier system, people can’t socialize indoors, and bars, pubs and restaurants must close except for takeout.
People leave the Sondheim Theatre, in London, where “Les Miserables” returned to the stage for the first time in almost nine months at the start of December, and now closes as London moves into the highest tier of coronavirus restrictions at midnight as a result of soaring case rates, Tuesday Dec. 15, 2020.
People sit outside a pub in Soho, London, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. London and some of its surrounding areas will be placed under Britain’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions beginning at 00:01 local time on Wednesday as infections rise rapidly in the capital. Under Tier 3 restrictions, the toughest level in England’s three-tier system, people can’t socialize indoors, and bars, pubs and restaurants must close except for takeout.
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, ahead of the last Prime Minister Questions session PMQs in the House of Commons, before Christmas recess. London and some of its surrounding areas will be placed under Britain’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions beginning at 00:01 local time on Wednesday as infections rise rapidly in the capital.
Britain’s Health Secretary Matt Hancock arrives at 10 Downing Street, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. London and some of its surrounding areas will be placed under Britain’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions beginning at 00:01 local time on Wednesday as infections rise rapidly in the capital. Under Tier 3 restrictions, the toughest level in England’s three-tier system, people can’t socialize indoors, and bars, pubs and restaurants must close except for takeout.
A member of staff wears a face mask as she is reflected into a mirror of a retail shop in Covent Garden, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. London and some of its surrounding areas will be placed under Britain’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions beginning at 00:01 local time on today as infections rise rapidly in the capital. Under Tier 3 restrictions, the toughest level in England’s three-tier system, people can’t socialize indoors, and bars, pubs and restaurants must close except for takeout.
British entertainer Lionel Blair, 92, receives the Pfizer BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine at a NHS vaccine centre set up in the grounds of the horse racing course at Epsom, England, Wednesday Dec. 16, 2020.
A woman walks past a Christmas decorations display outside a wine shop in Mayfair, London, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. London and some of its surrounding areas have been placed under Britain’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions beginning at 00:01 local time on Wednesday as infections rise rapidly in the capital. Under Tier 3 restrictions, the toughest level in England’s three-tier system, people can’t socialize indoors, and bars, pubs and restaurants must close except for takeout.
People walk along Oxford Street, where shops are allowed to stay open under the newly placed Tier 3 restrictions for coronavirus in London, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. London and some of its surrounding areas have been placed under Britain’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions beginning at 00:01 local time on Wednesday as infections rise rapidly in the capital. Under Tier 3 restrictions, the toughest level in England’s three-tier system, people can’t socialize indoors, and bars, pubs and restaurants must close except for takeout.
A sign telling people they can’t drink alcohol in public places in the area of the sign is displayed in Battersea Square, London, as in the background alcohol barrels are delivered to a wine shop, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. London and some of its surrounding areas have been placed under Britain’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions beginning at 00:01 local time on Wednesday as infections rise rapidly in the capital. Under Tier 3 restrictions, the toughest level in England’s three-tier system, people can’t socialize indoors, and bars, pubs and restaurants must close except for takeout.
People carry shopping bags outside the Selfridges department store on Oxford Street, where shops are allowed to stay open under the newly placed Tier 3 restrictions for coronavirus in London, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. London and some of its surrounding areas have been placed under Britain’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions beginning at 00:01 local time on Wednesday as infections rise rapidly in the capital. Under Tier 3 restrictions, the toughest level in England’s three-tier system, people can’t socialize indoors, and bars, pubs and restaurants must close except for takeout.
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes a drink as he listens to a question from the media during a news conference on the ongoing situation with the coronavirus pandemic, inside 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020.
A member of staff wears a face mask in a restaurant in Chinatown in Soho, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. London and some of its surrounding areas will be placed under Britain’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions beginning at 00:01 local time on today as infections rise rapidly in the capital. Under Tier 3 restrictions, the toughest level in England’s three-tier system, people can’t socialize indoors, and bars, pubs and restaurants must close except for takeout.
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a news conference on the ongoing situation with the coronavirus pandemic, inside 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020.
A man wears a face mask as he walks past a closed pub in the Seven Dials area of Covent Garden, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. The consensus across the four nations of the U.K. over the planned easing of coronavirus restrictions over Christmas appears to be fraying — even though they all agreed Wednesday to keep in place the laws around the relaxation.
People sit at tables outside to have their take away meal in Chinatown in Soho, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. London and some of its surrounding areas will be placed under Britain’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions beginning at 00:01 local time on today as infections rise rapidly in the capital. Under Tier 3 restrictions, the toughest level in England’s three-tier system, people can’t socialize indoors, and bars, pubs and restaurants must close except for takeout.
A woman wears a face mask as she carries shopping bags in Soho, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. London and some of its surrounding areas will be placed under Britain’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions beginning at 00:01 local time on today as infections rise rapidly in the capital. Under Tier 3 restrictions, the toughest level in England’s three-tier system, people can’t socialize indoors, and bars, pubs and restaurants must close except for takeout.
People walk past a closed pub in Soho, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. London and some of its surrounding areas will be placed under Britain’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions beginning at 00:01 local time on today as infections rise rapidly in the capital. Under Tier 3 restrictions, the toughest level in England’s three-tier system, people can’t socialize indoors, and bars, pubs and restaurants must close except for takeout.
A woman wears a face mask as she walks past a closed restaurant in Soho, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. London and some of its surrounding areas will be placed under Britain’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions beginning at 00:01 local time on today as infections rise rapidly in the capital. Under Tier 3 restrictions, the toughest level in England’s three-tier system, people can’t socialize indoors, and bars, pubs and restaurants must close except for takeout.
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he takes a question from the media during a news conference on the ongoing situation with the coronavirus pandemic, inside 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020.
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a news conference on the ongoing situation with the coronavirus pandemic, inside 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020.
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson listens to a question from the media during a news conference on the ongoing situation with the coronavirus pandemic, inside 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020.
A man wears a face mask as she skates past a closed pub in Soho, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. London and some of its surrounding areas will be placed under Britain’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions beginning at 00:01 local time on today as infections rise rapidly in the capital. Under Tier 3 restrictions, the toughest level in England’s three-tier system, people can’t socialize indoors, and bars, pubs and restaurants must close except for takeout.
Noelene Lewis receives the Pfizer BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine at a NHS vaccine centre set up in the grounds of the horse racing course at Epsom, England, Wednesday Dec. 16, 2020.
LONDON (AP) — No need to take it to the max.
That’s the new Christmas message that leaders of the U.K.’s four nations were spreading Wednesday, after toughening up their advice over what people should do during the holiday period.
Last month, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland agreed to permit a maximum of three households to mix between Dec. 23 and Dec. 27, regardless of what local restrictions are in place.
But following a sharp spike in new infections — another 25,161 were recorded Wednesday, the highest since Nov. 14 — families are being urged to consider the rules as the outer limits of what they can do.
“Have yourselves a merry little Christmas and, I’m afraid, this year I do mean little,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said at a press briefing. “I want to stress these are maximums, not targets.”
His comments echoed those of other leaders elsewhere, though Wales said it will legislate to limit bubbles to two households.
Johnson said it would be “inhuman” to ban Christmas but that in light of the “worrying” rises in new infections in some parts of the country, people should think hard about what to do. He said anyone planning to meet others during the easing should start limiting contacts from this Friday, for example.
