The 23rd is too early to start the Christmas bubble

[PinkPlantCase]

I like I’m sure many other people are expected to work a half day on Christmas Eve. The Christmas shut down then runs through the full gap from Christmas to new year (very lucky I know that the office actually closes).

I don’t see why they could have shifted the 5 days to start on Christmas Eve! Can anyone shed light on this logic?

The extra day after Christmas to stay with family we haven’t seen for a long time that we have to travel a long way to reach would have made a difference.

My DDs need to travel from London to Scotland so the 23rd to 27th works well for us.

Presuming ..
Go home 23rd.
Have 24th 25th 26th at home.
27th travel back.
So people can have the full bubble over the 3 main days.

It will be for travelling I would think, to spread it out a bit, DS is 200 miles away and DH needs to pick him up and it means the roads may be a little less busy than crammed into one day

It’s about three months too early imo.

Personally 24th to 28th would have suited me but I suspect it is to give a clear week from 28th to 3rd before schools reopen so if somebody catches it they should have developed symptoms (if they are going to) before they return to school/work.

Starting it early will mean that some people, who can stop working on or before the 23rd can travel then, and people who finish work later, can travel later.

If the bubble started closer to Christmas, that would concentrate all the travel into a shorter time period - it seems sensible to me to spread the travel out, so the roads, trains, buses and planes aren’t chaos.

Trains from London to Scotland are already booked solid. Sis couldn't get a ticket so will spend Christmas in London on her own

I find it bizarre that they haven't included both bank holidays in the window. Seems like an odd decision to me.

I agree. Many family members will still be at work on 23/24th, and those of us who aren’t will be running around like blue bottomed flies trying to get everything done as usual!

I'd assumed it would start on 25th not 23rd! Was hoping to see my DB, DSil and DN for the afternoon on 28th. I could cry...my mental health is not good right now, I haven't seen my mum for a year and counting and now I can't even see DB and family. I know it's not going to suit everyone but it still sucks.

It’s presumably to spread the traffic/travelling over 2 days rather than 1. A mass exodus on Christmas Eve would be carnage. We’ll be driving for 7 hours, so for us, it works well so we’re in situ on Christmas Eve. But they can’t please everyone as everyone’s circumstances are different.

I know I'm lucky to have my DC so won't be alone anyway.

Seriously? To try and spread the travel - it is not the government being incompetent-it is the opposite

@Mycircusmymonkey

I don’t know many people that work Xmas eve to be fair. Never going to please everyone

Christmas eve is a normal working day for a lot of people. I don't know anyone who isn't working Christmas eve.

Because it gives 5 days before children go back to school. They are hoping that all those infected will have shown up by then and won’t then go to school spreading it.

@Brighterthansunflowers - I don't see how 'everyone' benefits from it - only those who can meet up with family on those 5 specific days benefit.

Some people will want more time before Christmas, some will want more time after. They can’t please everyone. It makes sense to compromise by having two days each side.

@Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor - same - most people work 24th as far as I know.

Also I don’t think they mean everyone to take the full 5 days. It’s just a window.

@EssentialHummus

It’s about three months too early imo.

Yup

@Freddiefox - do some DC go back on 1st Jan or do you mean 2nd? That's early isn't it?

@TheDowagerDuchess - it's not about having more time or a full 5 days...I only want one afternoon on the bank holiday Monday. But obviously lots of us will miss out...can't suit everyone of course.

If there's going to be a five day window, then these dates seem the most logical, as it allows time for people to travel to their destinations.
It's never going to suit everyone whatever 5 day period is chosen.
It'll be carnage on the roads though. And in the hospitals a few weeks after Christmas...

It's so people can stagger travel to other places isn't it ?

I agree, my children are still in school on 23rd Dec!

I'd much prefer the 5 days beginning on Xmas eve.