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.

@plutodust not if people are at work for almost half the days.

[quote UndertheCedartree]@Freddiefox - do some DC go back on 1st Jan or do you mean 2nd? That's early isn't it?[/quote]
No the 4th which will give it a whole 7 days ( I miss calculated)

@Invisimamma

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

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

Where are you? I don't imagine many schools break up that late.

I want to know this - I’m staying in a hotel as off to see my parents in Aberdeen who I haven’t seen for so long. In a frantic flurry I’ve booked flights 23rd to 27th but I miss most of each day at the end as they are booking up. I would like to know if I can book 22nd to 28th and just not see them on them till 23rd?

I am guessing it will depend on the respective tiers ? London looks like a shoe in for Tier 2 and Aberdeen tier 1.... trying to work out if it’s more risky. With flights they could question you and stop you getting on.

They are not trying to facilitate everyone meeting up with all of their family for five whole days, they are providing a window of opportunity of five days when family members can get together, in some way. It won't suit everyone and it's not compulsory, but it allows some freedom to meet up. The problem is some people think if it doesn't allow them to have their normal Christmas, then it's no good.

We're in the middle of a pandemic. We really should not be sitting in an unventilated room for many hours over many days breathing in each others germs but because some would be so upset not to be able to do this at Chtistmas, we'll all have to have weeks of longer restrictions either side of Christmas.

And yet still people are moaning that its not the exact 120 hours that they'd have chosen. Is there no end to it? Its 120 hours which everyone else will pay for and it is still not enough???

No one I know works Christmas Eve.

And the gridlock on the roads will be a killer - it makes sense to start it on the 23rd. People have to travel.

Are they really going to be out patrolling the roads and streets 1 or 2 days after or before the 'set days'??? Surely one day either side won't be too much of an issue?

I’m working for 4 out of those 5 days. My time off is over new year, agreed 18 months ago because that’s how far out our rotas have to be worked so people don’t whine.
So yeah, not happening. If you can see your family then crack on. Hope they don’t catch anything while you’re there. If I sound bitter it’s because I am. If my kids can’t go back to school in January because of selfishness I will be very, very pissed off.

This is the impact of sitting in a room with loved ones.
english.elpais.com/society/2020-10-28/a-room-a-bar-and-a-class-how-the-coronavirus-is-spread-through-the-air.html

Will have to take 2 days annual leave to fit in with Government dates - not sure have 2 full days left.
Plus if my children get told to isolate again due to a case in their class ( had 3 such episodes this far - seem to be in unlucky classes) then cannot see parents that we want to see. If we could choose our own dates then we could see them at the end of school holidays.

Knowing our luck a child will go onto school, develop symptoms the next day and KO and behold our Christmas is ruined.

We only want to be 6 people in total together seeing family members we seen once since March.

Government rules will prob mean this will. It happen.

@Walkingtheplank my household doesn’t go out aside from walking for exercise, we work from home and have no DCs at school.

I think we’ll be just fine to sit in the same room as DPs over Christmas.

And before anyone says I should not see any family, I have seen two family members ( a couple) once since March ( well since Jan as it happens).
I have zero support.
Trying to manage work and constant school closures.

@Freddiefox I thought I'd missed something!
@Walkingtheplank - not moaning - just disapointed not to be able to have an afternoon's respite. I've seen my DB once since March, not seen my mum for a year, I have poor mental health, Long covid/post-covid fatigue and zero support due to Covid. So yes, I'm dissapointed.

@ArtieFufkinPolymerRecords - my 'normal' Christmas was meant to be seeing my mum who I haven't seen for a year due to Covid. Actually all I wanted was one afternoon with my DB and family as I could really do with some support/respite as I have poor mental health and Long covid with zero support due to Covid. I think I'm allowed to be a bit sad.

My work has altered their Christmas closure this year to be closed a little earlier than usual. Maybe others have too.

I’m working Christmas Day so if they could please hold off until Boxing Day that would be fab. Thank you

I've just been reading the new rules and as I understand it if my area goes to Tier 1 next week and my DB's area is also Tier 1 - we can still meet up as a group of 6. So will have to wait and see.

Because not many people want to be travelling Christmad Eve

@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.

They are not trying to facilitate everyone meeting up with all of their family for five whole days, they are providing a window of opportunity of five days when family members can get together, in some way. It won't suit everyone and it's not compulsory, but it allows some freedom to meet up. The problem is some people think if it doesn't allow them to have their normal Christmas, then it's no good

^^ This. Has it possibly occurred to you that not everyone has the same working and pattern situation as you?

Some people will be working over Christmas, some will finish before 23rd, many don't have to travel for hours to see their families, many all still live in the same city as where they grew up etc etc.

And if you're planning to spend 5 days in close company with people you don't live with, you're stretching the boundaries of the intentions of the guidance and that's one reason why there's a five day limit, because the risk increases if people spend the whole of the Christmas and New Year period with other people - the longer you're there, the more likely you're all going to start going out to shops, and pubs/restaurants, where these are open.

It's amazing how people will do exactly what they are told. If the only time you can do is on the Monday do you think soemoene will call the police?

It's because I'm the centre of the world. The 23rd is my 40th birthday and I can now see my Dad.

This government and logic don't mix. My only thought is that the 28th may not be a bank holiday across all the four nations.

I wish non-food shops were being closed though during these days. Give more people the chance to use this exception, or indeed not to and be at home if they wished. Seems illogical if you can go to the sales and then visit family on the same day.

They are also trying to keep any get together a long way from NYE, I suspect.

I think it's to give a clear week.befire schools restart.

DH and I are both working on 23rd and 24th. However I'm.going to ask for A/l on the 24th so I can drive to pick up ds who is 100 miles away. I could potentially go after work on the 23rd but I've got my Tesco click and collect order then so will need the car for that.

I think that the arrangements are as good as they can be. They won't suit everyone but that's life.