Is Christmas Canceled? United Kingdom COVID-19 Measures Slammed After Restrictions Tightened

It appears the holiday season won’t be very festive for million in the United Kingdom, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson has revealed that the Tier system for different areas is even more restrictive than previously thought this Christmas after the development of a new strain of COVID-19.

In a press conference announcement, Johnson revealed that beginning at midnight, a new Tier Four would be introduced to the public, indicating regions that are on lockdown for the holiday—meaning that they cannot mix indoors with anyone who does not already reside in their household, the BBC reports.

Areas in Tier four include London, Kent, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth, Rother, Hastings, Bedford, Central Bedford, Milton, Keynes, Luton, Peterborough, Hertfordshire and Essex.

Those in other tier level restrictions throughout England, Scotland and Wales have seen their previous mixing rules cut from five days to just Christmas Day, meaning they can only see their loved ones for the 24 hour period if they reside in separate households.

For Scotland, a similar policy is in effect, with restrictions only being relaxed for Christmas Day, while Wales is set to go on a lockdown.

The news comes as a new strain of COVID-19—one that is believed to be even easier to spread than the original Sars CoV-2 virus—has started to make its way through the area.

Despite the restrictions being enacted for safety reasons, many took to social media to express their displeasure with the announcement. While some were mad about their plans changing suddenly, others felt that the restrictions would lead to other problems.

Others took the news in stride, making light-hearted jokes about what their day might look like instead.

There were also some who pointed out that the restrictions may not be ideal, but they beat the alternative if COVID—19 continued to spread.

The restrictions come as COVID-19 continues to surge around the world, leading to altered plans for the holiday season in several other countries as well.