Christmas is often a frantic time for travel, but throw into the mix a pandemic, confusing restrictions and a seemingly ever changing ‘Tier System’ means this year definitely needs more planning than usual.
With the government easing travel restrictions between December 23rd and the 27th, travel for the holidays will be compressed into just a five-day window this year.
We suspect we won’t be witnessing scenes like this…..
The governments of the four UK nations have agreed that up to three households will be allowed to get together between 23 and 27 December. The official advice is to avoid travelling if you can, but of course, for many of us, that’s not always possible.
We’re told that……
“The safest way to spend Christmas and the festive period is to stay within your own household, in your own home and your own local area.”
A comprehensive plan to minimise disruption and help people travel safely during the Christmas travel window has been put in place, this includes.
- government outlines measures for safe Christmas journeys between 23rd and 27th December
- Transport Secretary announces 778 of miles of roadworks cleared
- rail upgrades postponed enabling extra services with over 95% of the rail network unaffected by engineering works
- longer trains and extra services added alongside waiving of admin fees to change advance rail tickets
- passengers urged to plan carefully, book ahead and follow guidance if they decide to travel
As roads and rail have typically been quieter over the course of the pandemic, journeys during the Christmas period could be longer and busier than usual. The measures to be outlined are targeted at supporting passenger and staff safety, reducing disruption wherever possible, and helping people travel with confidence.
To help us with some advice on train travel, we’ve been speaking to Robert Nisbet from the Rail Delivery Group.
Details of a four-tier traffic light lockdown system were announced at the Welsh government coronavirus briefing on December 11.
The First Minister, Mark Drakeford, said Wales will enter tier 4, which is a full lockdown, from December 28th if Covid cases do not begin to decrease.
“The plan sets out four alert levels. We are at alert level three. The traffic light is red. The level of risk is very high,”
“A full coronavirus control plan will be published and voted on in the week beginning Dec 14.“
The First Minister is concerned that cases could surpass 2,500 by Christmas Day if the current rate continued.
Dr Dave Jones, the clinical director for intensive care at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil said….
“The Covid-19 situation was now far worse than he had previously imagined. The hospital I work at was already facing an incredibly grave situation, with critical care patients having to be transferred to different hospitals for treatment.”
The latest restriction here in Wales are……….
- People may travel from Wales to tier one and two areas in England and Scotland. Previously, people could only travel out of Wales if it was deemed “essential.”
- Pubs, cafes and restaurants cannot serve alcohol from 6pm and must close at 6pm thereafter, apart from takeaway services
- Cinemas, bowling alleys and bingo halls will close, as will amusement arcades, casinos and galleries
- Non-essential businesses have been open since November 9, but people must work from home “wherever possible”
- Travel is still permitted anywhere within Wales, but people are not able to travel to England unless it is for essential purposes.
- A maximum of two households can form a support bubble and meet indoors or in private gardens
- Up to four people from separate households can meet up outside the home and in cafes, pubs and restaurants, and bring their children along, but must book ahead and provide identification
- House parties, events and gatherings are unlawful
- Groups of up to 15 people can take part in organised activities indoors, while up to 30 people are allowed to take part in activities outdoors
- Schools are open
- Wedding and civil partnership ceremonies may take place with social distancing and face coverings, but receptions are limited to 15 people
- Invite-only funerals may take place and wakes or gatherings are limited to 15 people, excluding staff and children under 11