Christmas mixing will kill: Chris Whitty gives grim warning that 'this isn't a moment to relax at all' as PM says Brits must decide bubbles by FRIDAY, avoid shops on Boxing Day and delay seeing elderly relatives - amid confusion over rules in four nations

The advice offered by Boris Johnson on having a safe 'little' Christmas this year

England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty delivered the stark warning tonight that Christmas mixing will lead to more coronavirus deaths in the new year, as he declared 'this is not a moment to relax at all'.

Professor Whitty bluntly stated that the virus will kill more Britons due to the looser rules and likened the situation to driving at 70mph on an icy road - saying that while it was legal, it was not 'sensible'.

The CMO, who struck a sombre tone alongside Boris Johnson at a Downing Street press conference tonight, said: 'Any kind of period where people come together in groups that otherwise wouldn't meet leads to an increase in risks and that will lead to an increase in hospitalisations and deaths.

'This is the equivalent of saying these are icy and treacherous conditions... just because you can doesn't mean you should.' He added grimly: 'This is not a moment to relax at all. Quite the reverse.'

Mr Johnson urged Britons to have a 'merry little Christmas' with the emphasis on 'little', as he denied that the plan for UK-wide bubbles is descending into chaos. The PM said all the home nations were sending the 'same message' that 'smaller is safer'.

He warned that the coronavirus case numbers were much higher than hoped when the festive easing had been designed - but insisted the law would be kept the same to avoid 'criminalising' families who were desperate to see each other.

The PM said the permission for three households to mix over five days was a 'maximum', advised people to decide their bubbles by Friday and isolate beforehand if possible, as well as avoiding elderly relatives. He also cautioned against travelling from high infection areas to lower ones, staying overnight with family, and flocking to high street sales on Boxing Day.

Quoting the classic festive tune, Mr Johnson said: 'Have yourself a merry little Christmas but this year, alas, preferably a very little Christmas.' But the united front across the UK was in tatters tonight as Wales announced that it will change the law to say only two households can mix between December 23 and 27 - as opposed to three in England.

Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon said gatherings should only happen on one day, people should not stay overnight unless 'unavoidable', and pleaded with Scots who have not already organised a bubble to avoid doing so. In bruising clashes with Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs earlier, the Labour leader accused Mr Johnson of ignoring scientists' advice on Christmas.

But he shot back by accusing Sir Keir of not having the 'guts' to come out explicitly in favour of cancelling the easing. The latest round of talks between Michael Gove, Nicola Sturgeon, Mark Drakeford of Wales and Northern Ireland's Arlene Foster took place this morning.

No10 had been braced for Scotland to take a tougher line, after Ms Sturgeon said that she would not hesitate to break ranks - suggesting the length of the relaxation and the three-household limit might need to be reduced.

The Government's Christmas travel tsar Sir Peter Hendy told the Transport Select Committee this morning that people should 'be careful', 'stay local', and 'book public transport early'. But he suggested that three-quarters of the public are not intending to travel, and predicted there will not be nightmare scenes.

As the coronavirus crisis threatens to blight another staple of normal life:

Majority of Britons believe Christmas SHOULD be cancelled, poll finds

The majority of Britons believe Christmas should be cancelled this year amid plans to loosen restrictions over the festive period, a poll has found.

A YouGov poll of 3,856 adults found 57 per cent think the current rules should be maintained over Christmas - instead of allowing bubbles of up to three households to mix.

Tory MPs are increasingly nervous about the UK-wide proposals, after respected medical journals the BMJ and HSJ warned the 'rash' move will 'cost lives' and must be axed.

Health committee chair Jeremy Hunt said the government should be listening to the concerns 'very very carefully'.

And the British public appear to agree - as just 31 per cent said they wanted the plan for 'bubbles' to go ahead. Separate Ipsos MORI research found 49 per cent thought the rules were not strict enough.

Mr Johnson said it would have been 'frankly inhuman' to 'ban Christmas' altogether - pointing out that the current restrictions on civil liberties might be the most severe since Cromwell's time.

Referencing days of wrangling between the UK nations over the Christmas bubbles, he said: 'We've decided that the overall situation is alas worse, more challenging than we hoped when we first set the rules.

'While it would not be right to criminalise people who made plans and simply want to spend time with their loved ones, we're collectively, across the UK, governments at every level, asking you to think hard and in detail about the days ahead.

'We're keeping the laws the same but we all want to send the same message: a smaller Christmas is going to be a safer Christmas and a shorter Christmas is a safer Christmas.

'When we say three households can meet on five days I want to stress these are maximums and not targets to aim for.

'It's always going to be safest to minimise the number of people you meet. That means if you are visiting others over Christmas we're asking you in the five days beforehand, as early as this Friday, to reduce the number of people you are in contact with to the lowest possible.

'If possible don't travel from a high prevalence to a lower prevalence area and avoid staying away from home overnight if you can.'

He went on: 'Whatever your plans for Christmas, please think carefully about avoiding crowds in the Boxing Day sales.

'And no one should be gathering in large groups to see in the New Year.'

He added: 'If you have an elderly relative you might want to delay seeing them until they have been vaccinated.'

At her daily briefing, Ms Sturgeon urged Scots to stay in their own homes if they can, rather than visiting relatives. She said those who have yet to fix a bubble to be in, should not form one now.

World Health Organization urges families to wear masks at Christmas

The World Health Organization has pleaded with families to wear face masks and socially distance at Christmas get-togethers to cut the risk of spreading coronavirus.

The UN agency said the measures would 'contribute significantly' to saving lives and preventing loved ones from getting sick, but admitted they 'may feel awkward'.

In updated guidance published today, the WHO warned that Europe was teetering on the brink of a third wave of Covid-19, which could peak in the first weeks of the new year.

The body said that mixing over Christmas could exacerbate the virus' spread and make the January peak more deadly.

The new guidance says: 'Indoor gatherings, even smaller ones, can be especially risky because they bring together groups of people, young and old, from different households, who may not all be adhering to the same infection prevention measures.

'Gatherings should be held outside if possible, and participants should wear masks and maintain physical distancing. If held indoors, limiting group size and ensuring good ventilation to reduce exposure risk are key.

'It may feel awkward to wear masks and practise distancing when around friends and family, but doing so contributes significantly to ensuring that everyone remains safe and healthy. Vulnerable people and older friends or relatives may find it very difficult to ask loved ones to stay away physically.'

In her daily briefing she said: 'The safest way to spend Christmas this year for you and those you love is to stay in your own household and your own home.

'My strong recommendation is that this is what you should do if at all possible.

'Any interaction you do have with another household should if at all possible be outdoors, but if you do consider it essential indoors with someone from another household you should limit both the duration and numbers as much as possible.

'The five-day relaxation is a window of opportunity during which you can meet, it is not a period that we think it is safe or sensible to get together for. You should see it as a maximum, not a target.

'My recommendation is that if you do form a bubble you should not meet up with people in it any more than on one day over that period, if possible, and you should not stay overnight unless it is unavoidable.

'You should also limit numbers as far as possible, three households is a maximum that tries to account for the fact that families come in all shapes and sizes, but two would be better.

'In short if you have to form a bubble keep it as small as possible.'

Mr Drakeford told the Welsh Government briefing: 'Here in Wales, the position is that only two households should come together to form an exclusive Christmas bubble during the five-day period.

'The fewer people we mix with in our homes, the less chance we have of catching or spreading the virus.

'None of us wants to be ill this Christmas. And we don't want to give coronavirus to our close family or friends.

'The Chief Medical Officer for Wales has provided special advice for people who were previously shielding about mixing over Christmas.'

Mr Drakeford also announced swingeing restrictions outside of the bubbles, with all non-essential retail, including close contact services and all leisure and fitness centres, ordered to close at the end of trading on Christmas Eve. All hospitality premises will close from 6pm on Christmas Day.

A full 'Level 4' lockdown will then come into force from December 28 - after the bubbles legally expire - with blocks on household mixing, holiday accommodation and travel.

In the Commons, Sir Keir said easing coronavirus rules at Christmas looked like being the PM's 'next big mistake'.

'If he really is going to press ahead with this, could he tell us what's the assessment and has it been done of the impact it will have on infection rates that increase pressure on the NHS?' the Labour leader jibed.

Where could ESCAPE Tier 3 in latest review?

Counties could be split by new local lockdown tiers today as MPs call for rural wards to be given looser rules than towns and cities being hit harder by Covid-19 as Government data shows infection rates are dividing communities in Kent, Leicestershire and Lancashire.

Health chiefs will meet today to review the restrictions for the run-up to Christmas and are expected to be heavy-handed. Cases are rising again nationally and the effects of November's lockdown have all but worn off in parts of the country, with more than 34million people now living under Tier Three rules.

But MPs from across the country have called for their rural residents to be cut some slack from draconian policies, with people living in 'zero Covid' villages lumped under rules triggered by outbreaks in nearby towns or cities.

Kent MP Tom Tugendhat is advocating for the county to be split into sections so people living in the countryside in his constituency can have more freedom. Kent is in Tier Three because Medway and Swale have some of England's highest rates — but Department of Health figures show case numbers are rising even in smaller areas, proving that outbreaks can leak out into smaller communities.

In Lancashire and Leicestershire there are calls for some areas to be released from the toughest restrictions, with millions having been forced to live under strict curbs for months on end.

And data shows that counties in the South East – England's new hotspot – are divided, with cases high and rising in the towns but much lower in the greener areas around them, with splits potentially on the cards for East and West Sussex.

Greater Manchester's mayor Andy Burnham said the city has a 'good case' for being pulled out of Tier Three, having been under the tightest restrictions since October, although rates remain high in some districts.

But a clearly infuriated Mr Johnson replied: 'I wish he'd had the guts to just say what he really wants to do, which is to cancel the plans people have made and cancel Christmas – I think that's what he's driving at, he's looking a bit blank, I think that's what he's driving at.

'I can tell him as of today that just this morning there is unanimous agreement across all the UK Government, across all the devolved administrations – including members of all parties, including his own – that we should proceed in principle with the existing regulations because we don't want to criminalise people's long-made plans.

'We do think it's absolutely vital that people should, at this very, very tricky time, exercise a high degree of personal responsibility – especially when they come into contact with elderly people, and avoid contact with elderly people wherever possible.

'That is how by being sensible and cautious – not by imposing endless lockdowns or cancelling Christmas as he would appear to want to do, that's the only implication I can draw from what he's said unless he wants to announce some other idea – that is the way we'll continue to work together to keep this virus under control, to defeat it and take the country forward.'

Two leading medical journals had warned keeping to the five-day plan was a 'major error that will cost many lives'.

But ministers decided it would be unfair to penalise the whole country because of concerns about surging cases in London and the South East.

And there were warnings that any attempt to ban Christmas would be impossible to enforce, with police chiefs already warning officers would not get involved in 'policing people's Christmas dinners'.

Concerns have also been raised about the impact on people's mental health if families are suddenly forced to cancel their plans to meet up this Christmas, and instead have to spend it alone.

In a round of interviews this morning, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick insisted there will be no change to the legal rules underpinning the five-day festive easing south of the border, saying the government should not 'tell people how to come to a decision'.

But he urged families to 'choose to do less' amid anxiety over rising coronavirus cases, admitting that the close contact is likely to fuel infections in the New Year.

'My sense is that many people, older members of the public, are coming to the conclusion that with the great news of the vaccine it might be wise to wait and get together with family and friends a little bit later on, but I strongly feel that this is something where members of the public need to use their own judgment,' he told BBC Breakfast.

'The Government can set a legal framework, and we have done and that applies across the whole of the United Kingdom, but we can't legislate for every eventuality and everything that's happening in people's own lives.'

Mr Jenrick said he 'respected' the opinions of scientists warning about the consequences of the easing, and said there had been 'quite serious' fallout in the US following Thanksgiving last month.

140,000 Britons have already been vaccinated

Almost 140,000 Britons have been vaccinated against coronavirus in the first seven days of the roll out, a Government minister has claimed.

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said 137,897 people have received the Pfizer jab so far, including 108,000 in England, 18,000 in Scotland, 7,897 in Wales and 4,000 in Northern Ireland.

Mr Zahawi said this was a 'really good start' and promised more people would get the vaccine when more centres opened. He only provided precise figures for Wales.

The UK's largest ever vaccination programme kicked off on December 8, with the Health Secretary promising 'millions' would get the jab before the end of the year.

But at the current speed of vaccination it will take another six weeks for a million people to be vaccinated, meaning the target won't be met until January 25.

They added: 'Members of the public can and should mitigate the impact of the third wave by being as careful as possible over the next few months. But many will see the lifting of restrictions over Christmas as permission to drop their guard.'

The British Medical Association also urged ministers to think again on the Christmas regulations.

Experts continued to sound the alarm about the risks of the festive season today.

Linda Bauld, professor of public health at the University of Edinburgh, said Christmas celebrations should be held in the 'most modest way possible' if it is necessary to mix households.

She told BBC Breakfast: 'I think, when this decision was made to have this loosening, we were in a slightly different position than we are now, in the middle of the lockdown in England, the tougher tier system was about to be introduced, and I think Governments hoped that numbers would continue to go down, and that is not the case.

'Just to emphasise, we've got a lot of people in hospital now – over 18,000 – we're really heading towards the peak of just over 20,000 that we had in April.'

She said that, while the safest thing would be not to mix households, there are some exceptions, and that celebrations should be postponed if possible.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer yesterday tried to pressure the Government into scrapping the amnesty. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir said: 'The tiered system has not kept the virus under control and has left us with precious little headroom.

'If you take the wrong decision now, the ramifications for our NHS and our economy in the New Year could be severe.'

But Tory grandee Sir Desmond Swayne said ministers were right to trust families to celebrate safely.

He added: 'As a Conservative, I fundamentally believe that individuals make better decisions on behalf of themselves, their families and communities than Government or medical journals can. The health and scientific lobby has to be put back in its box.'

The number of coronavirus cases in England dropped by a quarter during the second national lockdown, a Government-backed study has revealed. Pictured: A graph showing a drop in the percentage of positive tests per 10,000 people when the second lockdown began in November

The news came as last night questions mounted over the Christmas bubble plan amid a rise in cases, while the emergence of the new Covid strain has thrown another element into the situation.

In a blunt editorial yesterday, the BMJ and HSJ said: 'When government devised the current plans to allow house-hold mixing over Christmas it had assumed the covid-19 demand on the NHS would be decreasing.

'But it is not, it is rising, and the emergence of a new strain of the virus has introduced further potential jeopardy.

'Members of the public can and should mitigate the impact of the third wave by being as careful as possible over the next few months.

'But many will see the lifting of restrictions over Christmas as permission to drop their guard.

'The government was too slow to introduce restrictions in the Spring and again in the Autumn.

'It should now reverse its rash decision to allow household mixing and instead extend the tiers over the five-day Christmas period in order to bring numbers down in the advance of a likely third wave.

'It should also review and strengthen the tier structure, which has failed to suppress rates of infection and hospitalisation.'

The article added that 'the government is about to blunder into another major error that will cost many lives'.

'If our political leaders fail to take swift and decisive action, they can no longer claim to be 'protecting the NHS,' it said.

Following up on the report, Chris Hopson, head of the hospitals' group NHS Providers, told the Times that the government may have to make 'difficult decisions', but the consequences of a third surge in Covid-19 cases 'would be far worse.'

Meanwhile, Chaand Nagpaul, head of the British Medical Association, told the Times: 'Whilst we understand that many families will want to spend time together we know that no one will want to put a family member or friend at risk from contracting the virus.

'We would urge everyone to do all they can to avoid this.'

Professor James Naismith, from the University of Oxford, meanwhile said he expected a post Christmas surge in case numbers.

He said: 'The likelihood of an exponential surge due to relaxation over Christmas means that high case numbers at the start of Christmas will make January dramatically worse.

But he said festive get-togethers could be made safer, adding: 'If the visit is short, wash your hands thoroughly, wear a mask if possible, sit apart and ventilate the room. If two households are joining a household over Christmas, it will help if everyone in the household stops all other socialising for at least five days beforehand.'

Professor John Edmunds, a member of the Government's Sage advisory group, said: 'Just because we can meet up with two other households, it doesn't mean that we should.'

But Professor Paul Hunter, from the University of East Anglia, said gatherings are a 'tolerable risk', adding that shops and schools will be closed over the festive period and people will not be going to work, all driving down the R rate.

'It does carry with it a risk but, looking at the other side of things, January is generally a very bad month for people's mental health,' he said.

Mr Hunter later told the Telegraph: 'If you stay with an infected person less than five days then the risk is about one in eight. If that per son is asymptomatic then the risk is even lower, about one in 20.'

Scientists said Imperial College research, published three weeks ago, showed the chance of catching a virus from mixing at home for a short period was around five per cent.

Meanwhile, politicians also urged caution. Speaking in the Scottish Parliament yesterday, Ms Sturgeon said: 'There will be a four-nations discussion later today to take stock of recent developments. But, for now, I would urge the utmost caution.

'If you can avoid mixing with other households over Christmas, especially indoors, please do.

'But if you feel it essential to do so – and we have tried to be pragmatic in recognising that some people will – then please reduce your unnecessary contacts as much as possible between now and then.'

Mr Drakeford told the Welsh Parliament: 'Whichever way the governments of the United Kingdom resolve this issue, it will be a very, very finely balanced set of judgments between different sorts of harms that are caused whichever course of action we embark on.'

Mr Drakeford said the 'virulence' of Covid-19 this winter had not been predicted in modelling that was carried out in many parts of the world.

'I will be discussing with Michael Gove directly whether the four-nation agreement that we struck continues to have marginally more advantages then disadvantages, or whether there is a different balance that we ought to strike,' he told the Senedd.

'In either direction, harm is done.

'Harm is done whether people get together over Christmas in a way that isn't responsible and doesn't observe all the advice that we have given to people.

'If we seek to prevent people from meeting over Christmas, a different sort of harm will be done to people's sense of mental health, to people's sense of how they can survive through this incredibly difficult year together.'

He added: 'The choice is a grim one, isn't it. I have read in my own email account over the last couple of days heart-rending pleas from people not to reverse what we have agreed for Christmas.

'People who live entirely alone, who have made arrangements to be with people for the first time, they say to me that this is the only thing that they have been able to look forward to in recent weeks.

'And yet we know, if people do not use the modest amount of additional freedom available responsibly, then we will see an impact of that on our already hard-pressed health service.'

Family in Wales scrap plans for Christmas after seeing hospital staff 'on their knees'

Geoff Leyshon, 74, from Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, said his entire family made a decision a week ago to scrap their plans after seeing staff at nearby Prince Charles Hospital 'on their knees'.

Geoff Leyshon, 74, from Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, said his entire family made a decision a week ago to scrap their plans

He said: 'To us, to all of them and me, we thought it was just common sense. We were told that we can do it... but we felt, no we can't!

'I appreciate the difficulty, the mental stress, all that goes with it.'

Mr Leyshon added that it would take 'a lot of courage' for politicians to change their mind this close to Christmas.

Is there a limit to how many people can be in a Christmas bubble?

Cabinet Office guidance only stipulates that the bubble should not include people from more than three households.

However, it highlights that the more people someone sees, the more likely they are to catch or spread Covid-19, and asks the public to be mindful of risks before agreeing to form a bubble.

Do you have to self-isolate before forming a bubble?

Not by law, but Boris Johnson said today that people were being asked to 'reduce the number of people you are in contact with to the lowest possible number' in the five days before Christmas.

Will we have to social distance within Christmas bubbles?

Social distancing will not be necessary in bubbles, but people will be advised to exercise restraint and judgment if they plan to mix with vulnerable friends or family.

It means friends and family will have the chance to hug for the first time in months.

What happens if I'm self-isolating?

If you have Covid symptoms or are required to self-isolate then you must not join a Christmas bubble.

If someone in a Christmas bubble tests positive for coronavirus or develops symptoms between December 23 and 27, or up to 48 hours after the bubble last met, then all bubble members must self-isolate.

Can I be in a different Christmas bubble from people I normally live with?

Cabinet Office guidance says you can choose to form a different Christmas bubble from the people you live with normally.

To prevent virus transmission within your normal household and between bubbles, people should try to stay with another member of their Christmas bubble between December 23 and 27 where possible.

Extra precautions such as cleaning surfaces and door handles and letting in fresh air after someone has visited your household are also advised.

Can I still meet people outside of my Christmas bubble?

You will be able to meet people not in your Christmas bubble outside your home according to the rules in the tier you are staying in.

The tier system of restrictions applies to England, with rules in other parts of the UK varying.

Can I stay overnight with my Christmas bubble?

Yes, by law. If someone is in your Christmas bubble, you can visit each other's homes and stay overnight, including in private rented accommodation.

However, Boris Johnson has advised people against staying overnight to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus between each other.

When am I allowed to travel to and from my Christmas bubble?

You should only travel to meet your bubble and return home between December 23 and 27.

'For us it's just too much of a risk', says daughter who feared parents would worry

Katherine Carter, 37, from Southampton, has seen her own plans change as recently as yesterday due to her parents' concerns.

She described the Government's relaxation of restrictions as a 'nice thought' before adding 'for us it's just too much of a risk'.

Katherine Carter, 37, from Southampton, has seen her own plans change as recently as yesterday due to her parents' concerns

She continued: 'I was concerned that they would be worried, and wanted to know what they were thinking.

'As soon as I mentioned it they confirmed they were worried and thought it best to change plans, which I agreed sounded sensible.

'We're happy to have a quiet Christmas if it helps to keep them safe and less stressed.'

For those heading to or from Northern Ireland, they may travel on December 22 and 28 December, but should only meet their Christmas bubble between December 23 and 27.

Travel outside these periods is only allowed in exceptional circumstances, for example if your are required to self-isolate.

People are advised to avoid unnecessary stops on their journey and not to share a car with people not in their household.

If crossing borders, travellers should read the local coronavirus guidance as different rules may apply.

Does my support bubble count as one household still?

According to the Cabinet Office, existing support bubbles will count as one household contributing to the three household Christmas bubble limit.

A support bubble in England is defined as a support network between a single adult household, or a one adult household with one or more people aged under 18 on June 12, and one other household of any size.

Rules on household bubbles are different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with full Christmas guidance still pending from those nations.

Can childcare bubbles continue?

In England, a childcare bubble is where one household links with one other household to provide informal childcare to children aged 13 or under.

Between December 23 and 27 you can continue to use a childcare bubble but 'only if reasonably necessary' and 'where there are no reasonable alternatives', Cabinet Office guidance states.

If meeting socially during this period, the two households should form a Christmas bubble, with one further household permitted to join the grouping.

Again, guidance in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland may differ.

What happens to children whose parents are separated?

Children who are aged under 18 can be part of both their parents' Christmas bubbles if the adults do not live together and separate groupings are formed.

Nobody else is allowed to be in two bubbles.

Can care home residents join Christmas bubbles?

In England, visits outside of care homes should only be considered for residents 'of working age'.

A care home resident that is allowed to leave, subject to a home's agreement and individual risk assessments, may form a bubble with one other household only and should not form a three-household Christmas bubble at any point.

If a care home resident does join a household for Christmas they should maintain social distance and take steps to minimise risks.

Can students returning from university join Christmas bubbles?

Students heading home for the holidays will be considered part of the household they return to.

Growing concerns over health of mother, 71, prompt son to cancel

Marlene Kayley, 71

Marlene Kayley, 71, from Lancashire, had planned to see her son but his growing concerns over his mother's health prompted him to cancel.

'At first they thought they would form a bubble of three families,' said Mrs Kayley of her son and his fiance.

'The parents of my son's fiance (in their 60s) said they didn't want to risk socialising over Christmas so wouldn't see them.

'My son then expressed his concern that if he was asymptomatic he'd never live with himself if he infected me and I died.'

The decision was made just two weeks ago - and Mrs Kayley said she understood her son's choice but remained disappointed.

'After the year we've had, starting with not being able to see him on Mother's Day... I can't say I've got used to any of the upset caused by all the restrictions.

'Yes I'm disappointed and yes I understand my son's fears.'

Can my bubble have Christmas dinner together at the pub?

No. Under the rules Christmas bubbles cannot meet up at indoor settings such as pubs, hotels, retail businesses, theatres or restaurants.

In England, rules on who you can and cannot meet will still depend on which tier of restrictions a venue is in.

Can I stay in a hotel during Christmas?

In England, you can stay in a hotel during the Christmas period, including in a tier three area, but only on your own or with members of your household.

When do I have to decide my bubble by?

The Government have advised people to decide on their bubble by this Friday. However, this is not enshrined in law - it will not be illegal to change it.

Will we face tougher restrictions in January to make up for this?

We do not yet know. It has been speculated that a further circuit-breaker might be needed in January or February if transmission rates rise during Christmas.

The Prime Minister has urged families to still be 'jolly careful', warning against 'a big blowout Christmas' that could risk another lockdown in January.

Will the tiered restrictions still apply over the Christmas bubble period?

Yes. The tiered restrictions largely still do apply. For example, pubs and restaurants in Tier 3 areas will not be open for business as usual over Christmas.

What do the experts make of it all?

Two top medical journals have called for the Government to call off its 'rash' decision.

In a rare joint editorial, the British Medical Journal and Health Service Journal said the Government 'is about to blunder into another major error that will cost many lives'.

They added that the Government had been too slow to introduce restrictions in the spring and again in the autumn, and restrictions were needed over Christmas ahead of a 'likely third wave'.

Can I go to the Boxing Day sales and celebrate New Year?

Boris Johnson has urged people to avoid crowds in the Boxing Day sales, adding that 'no one should be gathering in large groups to see in the New Year'.

When will the situation have improved?

Boris Johnson said: 'With the vaccine, and all the other measures that we are taking, we do know that things will be better in this country by Easter.'

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