A Christmas bubble loophole could see families spend one extra day together over the festive period.
The Government is planning to temporarily relax lockdown rules for five days, to allow more than one household to celebrate.
These new rules will apply from December 23 to 27 regardless of what tier an area is in.
However, this five-day period could be extended to give at least an extra day if a relatives' train is delayed or car breaks down.
Only one person from the group has to be delayed for the relaxation to apply to the whole bubble, reports Manchester Evening News.
According to the Government guidance, which has been published today (December 1), a temporary extension can take place "immediately after the Christmas period".
The regulation states: "This subparagraph applies where one or more persons at the gathering has not been able to return to their home because of unforeseen disruption to travel.
"Where a member of a household is or has been in a linked Christmas household in relation to members of two other households, the person cannot be linked with the members of any other household under this regulation."
Meanwhile, there is an exception to the three-household rule for children whose parents live separately, and for university students returning home up until the new term in February.
But if people flout the lockdown rules and abuse the Christmas break, they could be hit with a fine.
Fines in England for breaking the lockdown start at £200 for the first offence. This can be lowered to £100 if it’s paid within the first 14 days.
It’s £400 for the second offence, doubling up for each offence to as much as £6,400.
While businesses could be forced to pay out up to £10,000 for organising illegal gatherings.
