A MINISTER today refused to rule out changes to the Christmas bubble rules today – as fears grew over the rise of cases ahead of the holidays.
Steve Barclay urged people to “do the minimum” seeing family and friends this Christmas, a stark watering down of the Government’s message.
Under plans agreed across the UK, up to three households will be able to form a “Christmas bubble” and meet between 23 and 27 December.
But Chief Secretary to the Treasury Steve Barclay told Sky News today: “It’s not saying that people must go and see family.
“It’s saying that where families want to see each other, they won’t be criminalised for doing so.”
Chris Whitty has repeatedly stressed that just because people are allowed to travel to see family over Christmas, it doesn’t mean they should.
A UK Government source stressed this morning there were “no plans” to change the Christmas rules.
And yesterday Downing Street insisted that the bubbles plans would go ahead – even for areas in the toughest tiers.
But it comes as other European countries have announced stricter rules over the Christmas break than the UK – and some worry the rules may be too lax.
One MP told Playbook: “I am kept awake at night imagining the nightmare of every other European country locking down much more severely over Christmas, while we don’t and end up with thousands more deaths.”
It came as:
- Schools were ordered to remain open until the end of the week – facing court action if they close early
- London, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire will be plunged into Tier 3 tonight
- Matt Hancock revealed a fresh strain of coronavirus could be spreading more quickly, and helping lead to an increase in cases in the South East
Experts warned against meeting up if people could.
David Nabarro, a World Health Organisation (WHO) special envoy working on Covid-19, said the price of such a relaxation “could well be very high”.
Urging people to think carefully about their plans, he told Times Radio: “Just ask yourself, is there any way in which you can perhaps not have the family get-togethers this year?
“It’s much better not to do it when there’s this kind of virus about.”
Professor Stephen Reicher, of the University of St Andrews, said: “Right now we are heading towards disaster.
“Given high levels of infection across the country and the increasing levels in some areas (such as London) it is inevitable that if we all do choose to meet up over Christmas then we will pay the price in the new year.”
