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The British have been told to “do the bare minimum” if visiting family over Christmas, despite the coronavirus rules being relaxed during the festive period.
Treasury Chief Secretary Steve Barclay told Sky News that people “must not misunderstand what COVID-19 the guidelines say “.
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According to plans agreed with the decentralized administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, up to three households will be able to form a “Christmas bubble” and meet between 23 and 27 December.
But in discussing that orientation, Barclay said, “He’s not saying that people should go see family.”
“He is saying that when families want to see each other, they will not be criminalized for doing so.”
Rising infection rates in some parts of the country, including London, have made some question festive relaxation.
When asked if these plans were being reviewed, Barclay told Sky News that “everything is always kept under review.”
But when asked if he could “cancel” Christmas, he replied, “No.”
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Barclay said there is a “balance to be struck” as “many families have not seen each other all year.”
“It is important for people’s well-being, for their mental health,” he said. “We don’t want to criminalize people for coming together as a family over Christmas.
“But it’s important that people do as little as possible. Then people will make their own judgments.”
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Barclay said he wouldn’t see his parents for Christmas.
Professor Devi Sridhar, president of global public health at the University of Edinburgh, told Sky News that it is a “bad idea” to relax restrictions for Christmas.
“Scientists can only present that evidence … and in the end it is up to political leaders to balance that with other considerations,” he said.
Professor Sridhar added that “mixing at Christmas is a terrible idea and that should be the message,” adding: “We are going to pay for this at some point.
“It is not that it can just happen and that we will not bear the consequences in January and February.”
