Bristol’s mayor is asking residents to consider finding ways to celebrate Christmas other than the usual big family get-together this year.
Marvin Rees made the plea a few hours after the city learned it would come under the harshest set of regional Covid restrictions when lockdown lifts next week.
Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire will all enter the tier 3, ‘Very High Alert’ level, on Wednesday, December 2, while the rest of the south west will come under a lower tier.
Tier 3 rules include that you shouldn’t mix with anybody you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble, indoors or in private gardens.
But the government has already announced that three households can form a temporary ‘Christmas bubble’ from December 23 to 27, so that families can celebrate the festive season.
Asked if he had any advice about Christmas yesterday (November 26), Mr Rees said he would like residents to think about finding “alternative ways of connecting with people”.
“Please, please go along with the guidance,” he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
“One is because it keeps you safe and it keeps other people safe that you come into close proximity with.
“We hope that by going along with the guidance, we will find that pathway out of that tier 3 so that we can support our businesses again, get life moving, support humans to come into more contact with each other again in a safe way.
“So please go along with the guidance.
“And please do think about alternative ways of connecting with people.”
Mr Rees added that anyone in need should call the Bristol City Council Covid-19 response helpline, We are Bristol.
He said: “If you are facing challenges, feeling lonely over Christmas as well, we do have the We Are Bristol helpline that we urge people to get in touch with for any support needs anyone has, whether it be food, loneliness, mental health.
“We want people to know that they’re not invisible, they may feel isolated but the city knows the need is there.
“We’re doing our best. We do care about them.”
You can call the #WeAreBristol helpline to receive food, medicine and other necessities on 0800 694 0184.
The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm.
