CHRISTMAS has been saved after it was agreed more than two households could be allowed to "bubble up".
Ministers from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have endorsed a shared objective to allow families to enjoy the festive season, the Cabinet Office has said.
But following a meeting on Saturday, they "reiterated the importance of allowing families and friends to meet in a careful and limited way, while recognising that this will not be a normal festive period and the risks of transmission remain very real".
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More information is expected in the coming days of how the scheme will work but it has been reported the plans could also see the UK travel ban lifted.
Michael Gove, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, met the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales and the First and Deputy Ministers of Northern Ireland to discussed shared arrangements for the festive period, the Cabinet Office said.
“Welcoming the good progress made by all administrations over the past few days to design a single set of arrangements that can apply across the UK, ministers reiterated the importance of allowing families and friends to meet in a careful and limited way, while recognising that this will not be a normal festive period and the risks of transmission remain very real," a statement read.
“As such, ministers endorsed a shared objective of facilitating some limited additional household bubbling for a small number of days, but also emphasised that the public will be advised to remain cautious, and that wherever possible people should avoid travelling and minimise social contact.
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“In respect of Northern Ireland, ministers also recognised that people will want to see family and friends across the island of Ireland, and this is the subject of discussions with the Irish Government.
“Work is continuing to finalise the arrangements, including relating to travel. The UK Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive hope to conclude this work this week, subject to agreement by each administration.”
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