The Scottish Government has published its guidance about what you can and cannot do over the festive period.

Up to three households will be allowed to mix over a five-day festive period between December 23 and 27, and travelling between council areas is also permitted during that time period, so that families spread across Scotland and the UK can form a ‘Christmas bubble.

Ayr Advertiser:

Ayr Advertiser readers are divided over the proposals with some seeing it as a necessary break to help recuperate from social isolation while others believe it will only cause more damage by allowing the coronavirus to spread.

One reader said: “For the sake of my families mental health I am for it.

“It is the one thing that they are looking forward to! Like [Nicola Sturgeon] said windows open in the house etc and just common sense.

“Would rather take the risk of spending an hour with my family than going to a supermarket these days.”

Another said: “Even if it’s being able to watch grandkids running in the garden as they watch from the door of house a few metres away that will be enough. It’s about seeing family and feeling love, during a very lonely time.”

On the other hand, a reader who teaches driving said: “Absolute disaster another lockdown in January almost certainly. As a driving instructor I’m closed again at a time when I should be looking forward to Christmas but I can’t due to all the uncertainty.”

Another shared her thoughts: “I just think it goes against everything we’ve been doing and are currently doing.

“Then after Christmas we are all going to suffer even more.

Don’t get me wrong I want to see family at Christmas but do we really want this going on longer?”

According to government guidance, the safest way to spend Yuletide is to refrain from forming a bubble and to stay in your own household, in your own home and in your local area.

But, restrictions have been eased to set “outer-boundary limits” for people over Christmas.