SUPPORT bubbles have been vital to many people across the UK throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Can you still have a support bubble in Tier 4?
Boris Johnson has announced a slew of new restrictions across London and other parts of England just days before Christmas. Tier 4 restrictions are coming into force from December 20 following skyrocketing Covid-19 cases across the southeast of the UK.
Christmas relaxation guidelines, which were originally meant to cover a five day period, will now only apply on Christmas Day itself – and only for those in Tiers 1, 2 and 3.
New restrictions have caused widespread anger across the UK as the Government U-turns yet again on official advice.
Some 16.4million people are now subject to Tier 4 restrictions, which essentially resemble that of the two previous full lockdowns the UK has had so far.
Social mixing will be limited to meeting one other person in an outdoor space, and all non-essential retail will close.
The new rules came into effect at 12.01am on December 20.
There will be a review of the rules in England on December 30.
Boris Johnson said: “I know how much emotion people invest in this time of year, and how important it is, for instance, for grandparents to see their grandchildren, for families to be together.
“So I know how disappointing this will be. But we have said throughout this pandemic that we must and we will be guided by the science.
Can you still have a support bubble in Tier 4?
Support bubbles are still allowed in Tier 4 areas, and are permitted in every Tier across England.
Support bubbles are still allowed to mix indoors unlike anyone else.
They are also allowed to have overnight stays between the two households involved in the support bubble.
The Government website reads: “You must not meet socially indoors with family or friends unless they are part of your household or support bubble.”
