We have, this evening, received the following clarification from the Scottish Government:
“We’re sorry to come back to you on the festive bubble question later than anticipated. This was being considered by public health colleagues and Ministerial sign off was also sought.
Taking account of issues that you and others have raised around the festive guidance, the following changes have been agreed and will be updated in regulations (likely tomorrow)’:
A bubble or members of a bubble can use self-catered accommodation (or a second home or caravan) providing it is in the local authority area that one of the members of the bubble lives in. Operators are required to check that when they take the booking one of the members of the bubble lives in that local authority area.
The geographical restriction has been included to minimise any spread of the virus related to travel during the festive period.
The travel ban is in place beyond the lockdown ending in England, based on an assessment that the risk of importation of cases remains high. This is also the position with Ireland. This will be reviewed regularly, based on an assessment of risk (for Wales people are still not allowed to leave Wales for the purpose of a holiday).
The rules below on travel apply until the festive period.
Can my bubble stay in self-catered accommodation?
We recognise that people will not always have a house big enough to accommodate a Christmas bubble. The law therefore lets a bubble meet in self-catered accommodation (or 2nd home) for a Christmas gathering, but only in the local authority area in which you or a member of your bubble lives. As we need to prevent the risk of spreading the virus, a Christmas gathering is not allowed in an area outside the local authority area in which one of the participants lives.
Operators should check that at least one household participating is from within the postcode area.
A maximum of 8 people from up to 3 households which have formed a bubble can stay in self-catering accommodation over the period 23 – 27 December. Children under the age of 12 from these households do not count towards the total number of people in the bubble. If you are staying with another household you should not have more than one household (or extended household) staying in each room booked.
Visiting Scotland from other parts of the UK and Ireland
Under current Scottish regulations, unless you have a reasonable excuse, you must not travel between Scotland and England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Find out more from Scottish Government travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK. Travelling for a holiday is not a reasonable excuse.
Visiting Scotland from other parts of the UK during the Christmas period
As agreed by all 4 UK governments travel between Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland is permitted to allow families and friends to gather to form a Christmas bubble between 23 to 27 December (22 to 28 December for Northern Ireland).
The location of a Christmas bubble in Scotland must be in the local authority area which a member of the bubble has their main residence. A bubble can meet in self-catered accommodation for a Christmas gathering, but only in the local authority area in which you or a member of your bubble lives. Operators should check that at least one household participating is from within the postcode area.
The bubble should not meet or stay in hotel or B&B accommodation together during the Christmas period. However, individual members or an individual household which is part of a bubble may use hotel or B & B accommodation nearby.
Find out more from Scottish Government guidance for the festive period.