[ad_1]
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has suggested that the government will not prevent households from gathering over Christmas despite rising COVID-19 infection rates in some parts of the country.
Speaking after you announced London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire should be placed in the hardest coronavirus measurements, Mr. Hancock He said the government is not ruling out further action in a bid to reduce the virus.
“We know from experience that the best we can deal with this virus is to act quickly, not wait for it to continue its growth, and we do not rule out further action,” the Health Secretary said at a press conference in Downing Street. .
Hancock suggested that people should refrain from excessive social mixing now, before seeing older relatives at Christmas.
But, repeatedly questioned whether the government would reconsider its plans to allow up to three households to meet indoors during the holiday period, the health secretary gave no indication of a U-turn and would only urge people to be “careful and responsible”. .
“Our message around Christmas is really clear,” Hancock said.
“We understand why people want to see their loved ones, especially this time of year, especially after this year, we all feel it.
“But it also needs to be done in a careful and responsible way. And I think people understand that too. That’s why we’ve taken the approach that we do.
“But if you plan to be reunited with your loved ones at Christmas, then being careful now two weeks in advance and making sure you minimize the chance of contracting and transmitting the disease is the right thing to do.
“Actually, that’s the right thing to do all the time.”
England’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty admitted that relaxing COVID rules over Christmas would lead to an increase in infections.
“This is all about balancing the broader needs of society with the need to keep the virus in check,” he said.
“The relatively modest relaxation, actually, over Christmas will certainly put upward pressure on the virus.”
“We know … but the feeling is that this is a very important moment for many families.”
Professor Whitty urged people to use relaxation of the COVID rules during Christmas in a “minimalist and responsible way” to keep the number of cases low in early January, adding: “The key is that people should be sensible. “
When asked if the British should isolate themselves between now and Christmas, if they plan to see elderly relatives, Hancock replied: “The best thing you can do, if you want to see elderly relatives at Christmas, is to be very careful now about a who do you see “.
Earlier Monday in the House of Commons, Hancock was pressured by some MPs to review the relaxation of coronavirus measures over Christmas.
Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood said he was concerned that “letting your guard down for five days during Christmas could be very dangerous,” while Munira Wilson of the Liberal Democrats highlighted the “alarming numbers” from the United States after the Action holiday. thanks.
Meanwhile, outside the Commons, theater star Elaine Paige, who is part of the cast of Pantoland at the London Palladium, which will now be forced to close, called on the government to “cancel Christmas” rather than shutting down the hospitality. in Level 3 areas.
She tweeted: “Theaters ARE safe. [Culture Secretary] Oliver Dowden saw it for himself. And still tubes and flights are allowed? These rules are illogical.
“The audience response shows how desperate they are for 2 hours of escapism. If it’s so terrible, cancel Christmas!”
