Christmas 2020 - a time for good food, good drink, some singing, some telly, a Queen's Speech... and a police raid?
As people speculated about what Christmas 2020 could be like and who we'll be able to see in our various tiers stories suggested that those who break the rules could find themselves rudely interrupted by police knocking at the door.
'Police will enter homes and break up Christmas dinners if families break lockdown rules' said the headline in the Daily Mail at one point.
Which yes, did lead to lots of jokes online and funny memes, but also did get people searching online for the Christmas 2020 covid rules - and whether they could be fined for breaking them....
Now people, following the announcement of Tier 4, people are searching to find out what Tier 4 fines in the UK would be.
Could you be fined for breaking the rules on Christmas Day 2020?
Yes, if you are caught breaking the rules, you will be fined. Police issue these fines, which are known as fixed penalty notices.
Will police be stopping people driving or leaving Tier 4? Will police enforce Tier 4?
One big question many people are asking is whether police will enforce tier 4 - will people be stopped on roads if it looks like they're breaking the tier 4 travel ban?
Will police enforce tier 4? It's yet to be totally laid out by the government.
But, asked on Andrew Marr will police enforce tier 4, Matt Hancock said he would hope that people would take personal responsibility. But pushed further on if police will enforce tier 4, he said: 'Of course. It's the police's responsibility to police the law'.
Will police be checking houses on Christmas Day 2020?
The stories around police raiding homes on Christmas Day came after comments from West Midlands police and crime commissioner, David Jamieson, who told The Telegraph that those who broke rules in their Tier around socialising and mixing households would be investigated.
He said to The Telegraph: 'If we think there's large groups of people gathering where they shouldn't be, then police will have to intervene. If, again, there's flagrant breaking of the rules, then the police would have to enforce.
'It's not the police's job to stop people enjoying their Christmas. However, we are there to enforce the rules that the Government makes, and if the Government makes those rules then the Government has to explain that to the public.'
Jane Kennedy, the PCC for the Merseyside region, which is under Tier 3 restrictions, also said of Christmas 2020 rule-breaks: 'If that's reported, the police will investigate, yes. If the restrictions remain in place there won't be the usual family gatherings, and therefore if a family breaks those rules and has a family gathering they will stand out because the majority of people are complying.'
READ MORE: What Will Christmas 2020 Look Like? And Why Are We So Obsessed With It?
How much are the fines for breaking the rules? What are the Tier 4 fines?
According to the City of London police's website, there are a number of fines depending on where you live and whether it's a first offence. Tier 4 fines are the same as previous fines laid out in England.
In England, for breaking covid rules, people over 18 can be fined £200 for the first offence, lowered to £100 if paid within 14 days. £400 for the second offence, then doubling for each further offence up to a maximum of £6,400
In Wales, for breaking covid rules, people over 18 can be fined £60 for the first offence, which may be lowered to £30 if paid within 14 days and £120 for the second offence and for each further offence.
In Scotland, for breaking covid rules, people over 18 can be fined £60 for the first offence, lowered to £30 if paid within 28 days and £120 for the second offence, then doubling for each further offence up to a maximum of £960.
In Northern Ireland, for breaking covid rules, people over 18 can be fined 60 for the first offence, lowered to £30 if paid within 14 days. £120 for the second offence, then doubling for each further offence up to a maximum of £960.
What are the rules in Tier 1 for Christmas and what can you be fined for?
In the Medium Tier 1, you can see friends and family you do not live with, but you must not meet in a group of rules of six.
The six includes children of any age (so including babies).
On Christmas Day you can meet in Christmas bubbles of three households.
The government website says that not abiding by the rules will carry a fine: 'You can be fined £200 for the first offence, doubling for each further offence up to a maximum of £6,400. If you hold, or are involved in holding, an illegal gathering of over 30 people, the police can issue fines of £10,000.'
There are some exceptions, for instance if involving support bubbles or to see someone who is dying. The details can be found here.
What are the rules in Tier 2 for Christmas and what can you be fined for?
In Tier 2, you cannot meet socially with friends and family indoors in any setting unless you live with them or have formed a support bubble with them. This includes private homes, and any other indoor venues such as pubs and restaurants.
You may continue to see friends and family you do not live with (or have not formed a support bubble with) outside, including in a garden or other outdoor space. When you do so, you must not meet in a group of more than six. This limit of six includes children of any age.
On Christmas Day you can meet in Christmas bubbles of three households.
You can be fined £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400. If you hold, or are involved in holding, an illegal gathering of over 30 people, the police can issue fines of £10,000.
What are the rules in Tier 3 for Christmas and what can you be fined for?
The covid rules say you must not meet socially with friends and family indoors in any setting unless they are part of your household or support bubble. This includes private homes and indoors in hospitality venues, such as pubs. You must also not meet with people outside of your household or support bubble in a private garden or in most outdoor public venues.
You are allowed to meet up to six (including children) in parks, beaches, countryside, forests, public gardens, allotments, outdoor sports courts and facilities, playgrounds.
On Christmas Day you can meet in Christmas bubbles of three households.
In Tier 3 fines will be handed out if you break the rules at Christmas. You can be fined £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400. If you hold, or are involved in holding, an illegal gathering of over 30 people, the police can issue fines of £10,000.
What are the Tier 4 fines?
As with all tiers, the fine is the same. You can be fined £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400. If you hold, or are involved in holding, an illegal gathering of over 30 people, the police can issue fines of £10,000.
What are the fines against parties and illegal gatherings?
It's even more severe for those who hold illegal gatherings, like parties, for more than 30 people. They could be fined £10,000.
Will I be fined for seeing my grandparents and parents at Christmas?
Depending on the tier you live in and they live in, yes, fines could apply. The only exceptions to the rules are around support bubbles and childcare bubbles.
Childcare bubbles can allow children to see one other household of family or friends (so perhaps grandparents) as part of ad hoc, informal childcare and babysitting.
However, you should still take heed of warnings around passing coronavirus on from school age children to older realtives.
This article gives a full breakdown of the rules around grandparents.