DEVASTATED Gazette readers have blamed the Government after the crushing news they are banned from visited family and friends over Christmas. Halstead and the Braintree district were thrown into a third lockdown on Sunday as cases continue to rise due to the new and more transmissible Covid strain discovered by scientists. Residents cannot mix with anyone outside their household – even on Christmas Day – under the Tier 4 rules and must now stay at home except for essential work, shopping, healthcare or exercise. Reacting to the news announced by the Prime Minister on Saturday, Gazette readers admitted they were “gutted” with many blaming the Government.