The government plans to relax restrictions on socializing and travel for five days before and after Christmas. With infections rising in the U.K., which has Europe's second-highest coronavirus death toll, there are concerns about a possible fresh surge of cases and deaths after the holidays. In Scotland, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said the option for a post-Christmas lockdown “remains on the table." One expert was skeptical about the effectiveness of the U.K. government's three-tiered system of restrictions. The testing plans “are undeliverable in that timescale," said Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders.

Source: ABC News December 18, 2020 13:21 UTC