Small gatherings with the same people on a weekly basis may be a way forward in easing lockdown restrictions (Picture: i-Images)

The UK could be moving towards easing lockdown restrictions to allow people to meet a small number of family and friends outside of their household to ease loneliness and isolation.

Nicola Sturgeon has discussed a scheme in which people could meet a small ‘bubble’ of others outside their own households. Some countries are beginning to look at expanding the definition of ‘households’ to allow small gatherings of people, she said.

The First Minister told BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme it would have to be the same group of people each time. But she stressed no decisions have been made on such a ‘bubble’ arrangement, but she wants to have an open conversation with the public about the way forward.



A Downing Street spokesman later said confirmed the UK still plans to ‘adopt a four-nations’ approach’ to easing lockdown measures.


Nicola Sturgeon said ‘we’re all missing seeing our loved ones so we all want to get beyond that as quickly as possible’ (Picture: Getty)

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Revealing her framework for relaxing lockdown measures in Scotland, Ms Sturgeon said some restrictions could stay in place until at least the end of the year. But there may be hope for people who have experienced feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Ms Sturgeon said: ‘I know from my own parents who are not seeing their grandkids just know, I understand the anguish of that.

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‘We’re all missing seeing our loved ones so we all want to get beyond that as quickly as possible.

‘Every country is going through these decisions, none of us are through this pandemic yet, but some countries are starting to look at slightly expanding what people would define as their household – encouraging people who live alone to maybe match up with somebody else who is on their own or a couple of other people to have almost kind of bubbles of people.’

She added: ‘And the key thing there is, if you’re seeing maybe one or two more people outside your household, it’s got to be the same people on a day-to-day, week-to-week basis so you’re still limiting the ability for the virus to transmit.

‘Now, none of these are fixed decisions yet, but these are all the kind of things we’re trying to work through.

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‘What we’re trying to do is to do is, how do we get a semblance of normality back into our lives because the lockdown – it is essential that people stick with it just now – but it’s having consequences of its own.’

In Belgium, experts are reportedly considering allowing private gatherings of 10 people on weekends – but it would have to be the same people each week.

The First Minister also said the Scottish Government will increase talks with councils about children returning to school. The need to keep social distancing in place will put an upper limit on class sizes, she said.



She added: ‘So do we have to take classes divide them into two, where half of the class is there one week, the other half the other week or one half in the morning and the afternoon?

‘These are the kind of things where we’re having to think through.’

The First Minister said any easing of the lockdown will be gradual and life ‘will not be normal for some time to come’.

Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford also set out changes to strict stay-at-home regulations in Wales today.

During a press conference, Mr Drakeford said he did not want to keep the regulations in place ‘for any longer than they need to be’ and said he has made ‘some small changes’ to the regulations following a review.

‘Some areas have been strengthened and others have been eased. But the overarching stay-at-home rules remain in place,’ he said.

Some countries are starting to look at slightly expanding what people would define as their household – encouraging people who live alone to meet up with ‘bubbles of people’, Nicola Sturgeon said (Picture: Getty)

He added: ‘There is a fine balance to be struck – I do not want to lift them too early and risk a new and potentially deadly peak of the virus returning.’

From Saturday, one of the restrictions will change from a requirement not to leave where you live to a requirement not to leave or remain away from that place – in order to stop people living in Wales travelling long distances to beauty spots for exercise, and people living outside Wales travelling to holiday and second homes.

Echoing statements made by Downing Street, Mr Drakeford also said a common UK timetable is the ‘clearest way’ to convey messages.


Mr Johnson’s spokesman said: ‘What we want to do, and I’m sure it’s no different for Mark Drakeford (Wales’s First Minister), is to ensure that we don’t do anything which can lead to a second peak because that is the worst thing that we can do, not only for the nation’s health but also for the economy.’

He added: ‘We and they have all said that we want to adopt a four-nations’ approach and that is what has happened so far.’

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