Month: December 2020

We are asking communities across Bristol to make sure they have a safe and careful festive period over Christmas and the New Year.

Last weekend the Government announced changes to the rules over the festive period.

This means: 
⦁ A maximum of three households can create a Christmas bubble for one day only on 25 December.

⦁ Households should not stay over on Christmas Day and you should try to keep visits short.

⦁ You may only form one Christmas bubble, and once it has been formed, you cannot change it.

⦁ Keep your bubbles as small as possible, three households (including your own) should be the maximum, but you should avoid creating a Christmas bubble if at all possible.

⦁ Try to only form bubbles within your local area – you may not form a bubble with anyone in a tier 4 area. It is also safest to avoid forming a bubble with anyone living in a tier 3 area.

⦁ Limit social contact with anyone outside of your household for at least five days before and after forming a bubble.

From 26 December, we will have to go back to Bristol’s local restrictions. On 30 December the government will decide whether Bristol stays in tier 2 or moves to tier 3 or 4. This will depend on how many people catch Coronavirus over the two weeks leading up to 30 December.

Bristol is in tier 2 at the moment, which means that for New Year’s Eve, people must not mix socially indoors with people not in their household and hospitality venues will close at 11pm.

However, we would strongly recommend that Disabled people do not go to hospitality venues for Christmas or New Year celebrations. The
re-opening of these venues was a big factor in the big rise in people catching Coronavirus over late summer and early autumn.
 
Please do the most you can over the festive period to protect our city and keep infection rates down and ensure that 2021 is as coronavirus-safe as it can be.

If you are planning to go out one evening this week to celebrate Christmas please remember that Bristol is still in tier 2 and there is guidance you must follow if you’re visiting any hospitality venue.

⦁ Wear a face covering at all times, unless exempt, apart from when seated at a table.

⦁ Scan the QR code to use the COVID-19 app.

⦁ You can only sit inside a venue with those from your own household or support bubble. 

⦁ The rule of six must be followed outside a venue and social distancing should be followed.

⦁ You can only order alcohol with a substantial meal.

⦁ You must leave the venue by 11pm.
 
When you have left the venue it is important that you go straight home and do not stand around in groups outside.

This guidance is in place to protect you and your loved ones and to make sure we all have a safe Christmas.

We know this is the time of year you want to celebrate, but would ask you to keep in mind that hospitality venues e.g. pubs, restaurants, bars etc. are places where there is a high risk of catching coronavirus.

Hospitality venues are places like pubs, bars, restaurants, or almost anywhere you might usually go to when you want drink or eat (or both) with friends or family.
Household. A household is a home where one or more people live. It can be a flat, a house, a group home or shared student accommodation.

Coronavirus testing sites will be open over the Christmas and New Year period, including on Christmas Day, but will be operating at slightly reduced hours.

Visit the Gov.UK website to find out more.
 
If you develop symptoms of coronavirus over the holiday period, including a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, it is essential that you get tested.
 
We have four testing sites in Bristol. They are:
 
• Brislington Park and Ride (note a 2.1m height restriction)
• Hengrove Leisure Park
• Netham Park
• Rear of Victoria Rooms, Clifton
 
If you do have symptoms or you test positive you must
self-isolate in order to protect your loved ones and keep the city safe.