This has been a totally irresponsible act by a Goverment who when Covid cases and deaths rise in the New Year will not hesitate to blame the very actions that they instigated.
And the likely fact that people didn't stick to the rules, after the UK government creating huge confusion as shown in this thread.
Washing bio gel or quid in the drum
How long do care home give you to sell flat
Frank Field, Labour Peer has died, aged 81y.