Prime Minister Boris Johnson provides update on Christmas Covid restrictions
He held a press conference this afternoon
Last updated 17th Dec 2020
The Prime Minister has urged public to "exercise extreme caution" and advised people to avoid seeing elderly relatives.
The relaxation of restrictions is still expected to go ahead however, despite warnings that this may have a negative impact on the spread of the virus.
Making the comments during a press conference this afternoon, Boris Johnson advised people against travelling from "high prevalence areas" to lower affected areas.
He also urged people to "reduce the number of people you are in contact with to the lowest possible number."
Mr Johnson opened the press conference by discussing the vaccine programme that is currently being rolled out across the UK, stating: "There is no doubt we are winning the struggle against the virus."
"A smaller Christmas is a safer Christmas"
However, he quickly turned to the matter of the Christmas restrictions: "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.
"Have yourself a merry little Christmas...I do mean little"
Before passing on to Professor Chris Whitty, he said: "So, have yourselves a merry little Christmas – and, I’m afraid this year I do mean little.
“But with the vaccine, and all the other measures we are taking, we do know that things will be better in this country by Easter.
“And, I’m sure that next year Christmas will be as normal as usual for every family in the country.”
Speaking of how to approach Christmas celebrations, the Chief Medical Officer, Mr Whitty said: "Keep it short, keep it small, keep it local and think of the vulnerable."