A little known exemption means some families with young babies living in tier four areas will still be allowed to see their loved ones on Christmas Day.

London and large parts of the south east were plunged into the new, harshest restrictions on Sunday forcing thousands to cancel their festive plans.

The tier four restrictions are largely similar to the first lockdown in March, meaning most families will not be able to see their family as planned on Christmas Day, as households cannot mix indoors.

However, the prime minister told a No 10 press conference that those who have formed a support bubble with another household would still be permitted to meet up. This means support bubbles can still enjoy December 25 together.

Although Mr Johnson mentioned support bubbles including the vulnerable, or those who live alone and are at risk of loneliness, he did not mention that families with young babies or toddlers are also the exception to the rule.

Under the section ‘who can make a support bubble’ on the Government website, official guidance states: ‘You can form a support bubble with another household of any size if… your household includes a child who is under the age of one or was under that age on 2 December 2020.’

This means that the prime minister and fiance Carrie Symonds will still be able to enjoy Christmas with family despite living in tier four-stricken London, as seven-month-old son Wilfred will put them in the exemption category.

In theory, the exemption means that those with a baby aged one or under in the household can mix with another household of any size from any tier.

Although, guidance advises that people should only form a support bubble with a household that lives locally.

The latest guidance comes after London and large parts of the south east were put into new toughened tier four measures, causing hundreds to flee the capital in a bid to save their Christmas plans.

Reports suggested tonight that ministers are considering a nationwide lockdown from Boxing Day to tackle the spread of the new Covid-19 mutant variant as it surges across the nation.

Measures were introduced after the prime minister warned the strain was surging across areas in the south east and the capital and has a higher transmissibility rate of up to 70%

Sir Patrick Vallance said cases had spread ‘everywhere’ in the UK and warned England to brace itself for further restrictions in the New Year.

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