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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Jessica Sansome

Can you get fined for breaking Christmas bubble rules?

Christmas is upon us and you don't need us to tell you it is all very different this year.

Families and friends will again be kept apart by different restrictions across the UK.

Those in Tier 4 are no longer able to form a 'Christmas bubble' like originally outlined last month.

Those in Tier 1, 2 and 3 have also had to make changes as the guidance now only applies to one day - December 25 - and not the five-day window as first arranged.

So sadly, this means you cannot meet up with people who are not in your bubble or households for the majority of the Christmas period.

As for whether you can be fined, the police can take action against you if you meet in larger groups. This includes breaking up illegal gatherings and issuing fines.

You can be given a Fixed Penalty Notice of £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400.

If you hold, or are involved in holding, an illegal gathering of over 30 people, the police can issue fines of £10,000.

This also changes depending on where you are in the UK.

In Wales, a fine of £60 will be issued for the first offence, which can be lowered to £30 if paid within a fortnight.

This rise to £120 for the second offence and for each further offence.

In Scotland, people aged 16 and over are fined £60 for the first offence, lowered to £30 if paid within 28 days.

It's £120 for the second offence, which doubles for each further offence up to a maximum of £960.

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