Boris Johnson’s optimistic plan in the summer for a “more significant return to normality” by Christmas has all but fallen by the wayside.
Weeks later the Prime Minister admitted a second wave of coronavirus was “inevitable” as cases surged as the winter nights drew in.
"I tell you in all candour, it will continue to be bumpy through to Christmas and may even be bumpy beyond," the PM recently said.
With the country under a raft of new restrictions and millions of Britons under local lockdown, a normal Christmas feels difficult to imagine.
As the festive season edges closer, here’s what we know about what it will look like.
What will Christmas shopping look like?
The usual tradition of late-night Christmas shopping should be allowed to go ahead unless a full lockdown returns, with shopping centres and high street stores remaining open.
Face coverings will - unless the rules change - be mandatory in shops, hygiene measures such as hand sanitising stations will be in place, and there will likely be entry limits on shops and malls to prevent crowds.
Many more than usual will probably opt for online shopping this year, so they can avoid crowds and get goods delivered straight to their doors.
You’ll also need to wear face coverings on public transport if you need to travel this way. In Scotland, car-sharing between households is also advised against.
Can I meet extended family?
The “rule of six” is in place across the entire UK, capping social gatherings at six people by law indoors and outdoors, with fines of up to £3,200 for breaches.
In England these six people can be from any household. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, there is a ban on households mixing indoors, such as in houses or the pub.
Certain exemptions apply: in Scotland under-12s aren’t included in the rule of six, and under-11s aren’t in Wales. Your chosen support bubble is also exempt.
The Government has already stressed it doesn't want lonely and vulnerable elderly people to be left with no social contact - so make their Christmas a happy one.
Can I have friends over on Christmas Day?
The PM has said the Government will do “everything we can” to ensure families can unite on Christmas Day, in a hint that the “rule of six” may be relaxed just in time. But the Government has already said we should “assume” the new curbs will be in force until April 2021.
So, the answer is possibly. As it stands, if having friends over means a group larger than six, you’ll be breaking the law.
Can I go on a Christmas holiday?
Holidays are not banned, but the Foreign Office is currently advising against all but essential international travel.
If you’re planning on going abroad, you’ll need to be prepared to potentially quarantine at either end, with only a handful of countries left on Britain’s “travel corridor” list.
For staycations, it’s advisable to avoid visiting areas in local lockdown - currently much of northern England, large swathes of Scotland and two thirds of Wales are affected by the restrctions.
In Wales, you’re not allowed to enter or leave regions in local lockdown.
Will Christmas markets be on?
It is unclear yet whether Britain’s beloved Christmas markets, a festive favourite, will spring up again this year.
Under the rules, outside of local lockdown areas there’s nothing requiring them to cancel. They are mostly outdoors, where the risk of spreading the virus is far lower.
However, if Christmas markets do go ahead, there will likely be crowd control measures to avoid breaching the ban on mass gatherings over 30, and face coverings could be enforced.
It was announced in September that Hyde Park's annual Winter Wonderland in London has been cancelled this year, owing to the ongoing pandemic.
What about New Year’s Eve?
New Year’s Eve looks set to be massively curtailed this year, with nightclubs still shut and bars, pubs and restaurants currently under a 10pm curfew.
Signature celebratory events also look likely to be cancelled. One of them, the London New Year’s Eve fireworks display, has already been axed.
