Plans to allow families to meet over Christmas are being discussed by the leaders of all four UK nations.
The 16:00 GMT talks are examining how coronavirus restrictions can be relaxed over the festive period.
The first ministers of Wales and Scotland both said they were hopeful a "common" framework could be agreed.
BBC Scotland's chief political correspondent said three households could be allowed to meet indoors over five days between 23-27 December.
Plans to allow families to meet over Christmas are being discussed by the leaders of all four UK nationshttps://t.co/pWXr6B88Hf
— BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) November 24, 2020
Glenn Campbell added that the four nations were close to an agreement - with the leaders also considering the lifting of travel restrictions and rules on overnight stays.
He added they are expected to urge Britons to use any new flexibility sparingly because public health officials are worried Christmas get-togethers could cause a January spike in Covid cases.
Speaking ahead of the meeting of the UK government's emergency committee Cobra, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said he was "very hopeful" of progress being made - but cautioned any extra freedoms would not be an instruction to do "risky things".
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also stressed any changes would be "temporary" and "limited" and the Scottish government would "continue to ask people to err on the side of caution".
She said that the "details" may differ "to reflect different circumstances in each nation", such as what the definition of a "household" might be.
Meanwhile, the government has recorded another 608 deaths of people in the UK who have died within 28 days of a positive Covid test. There were also a further 11,299 cases of people testing positive for coronavirus.
Latest Stories
-
My sister inspired me to start a fashion business – Diana Hamilton
22 minutes -
SIC Insurance PLC donates 50 laptops to KNUST
27 minutes -
I turned down specific brands because of my faith – Diana Hamilton
32 minutes -
‘Those who validate ghosts will pay’ – Finance Minister declares war on public sector payroll fraud
37 minutes -
GN Bank Chicago declared safe and sound by U.S. regulator
46 minutes -
Dando Manufacturing wins top honours for excellence in specialised drilling equipment and engineering solutions
56 minutes -
Private citizen donates patrol vehicle to Nkawie Police to boost crime prevention
1 hour -
Gov’t has worked hard to stabilise exchange rate, it’s time to lower prices – Finance Minister tells businesses
1 hour -
GJA orders re-run of Ashanti Regional Chairperson elections
1 hour -
Gov’t to deploy AI at ports to curb revenue leakages – Finance Minister
1 hour -
NPA scandal: Two more co-accused granted bail after meeting requirements
2 hours -
Gov’t launches forensic audit of stalled projects following loan discrepancies – Finance Minister
2 hours -
Minority Caucus demands repeal of L.I. 2462 as galamsey threat deepens
2 hours -
Full text: 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review presented by Finance Minister
2 hours -
State actors shielding galamsey networks – Minority Caucus alleges
2 hours