COVID-19: Christmas laws will stay the same - but public warned to 'keep it short, keep it local' - Sky News

Boris Johnson has warned "a smaller Christmas is going to be a safer Christmas" as he urged the public to see festive bubbles of three households as "maximums" and not "targets to aim for".

The prime minister confirmed that Christmas COVID rules would not be changing in law.

But he admitted that the "overall situation" is now "worse and more challenging" than when the loosening of restrictions over the festive period was announced last month.

For five days between 23 and 27 December, people across the UK will still be able to mix in private homes with those in their "Christmas bubble" of up to three households, while travel restrictions will also be lifted.

Mr Johnson said it would not be right to "criminalise" people who have already made plans and "simply want to spend time with their loved ones".

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But he said he was asking people to "think hard and in detail about the days ahead and whether you can do more to protect yourself and others", as he urged the public to act well within the rules.

"A smaller Christmas is going to be a safer Christmas and a shorter Christmas is a safer Christmas," the prime minister said at a Downing Street news conference on Wednesday.

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Mr Johnson also advised the public to:

• reduce the number of people you are in contact with to the lowest possible during the five days before the Christmas loosening of restrictions begins on 23 December
• avoid travel from a high prevalence to a low prevalence area, if possible
• avoid overnight stays away from home if you can
• think about waiting to see elderly relatives until after they have been vaccinated
• avoid crowds in the Boxing Day sales
• don't gather in large groups to celebrate the New Year

The prime minister told the news conference there had been "worrying rises" in COVID infections in some parts of the country, with London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire having been put into Tier 3 measures earlier this week.

"So have yourselves a merry little Christmas and, I'm afraid, this year I do mean little," Mr Johnson said.

"But with the vaccine, and all the other measures that we are taking, we do know things will be better in this country by Easter.

"And I'm sure that next year Christmas will be as normal for every family in the country."

England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, supported told Britons to "keep it small, keep it short, keep it local, and think of the most vulnerable people" when gathering over Christmas.

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2020-12-16 15:56:15Z
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