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A leading conservative today urged the British to make “Easter the new Christmas” after it emerged that Boris Johnson refuses to toughen the law.
Robert Jenrick said people should “make their own judgments” on whether to reunite with the family next week, despite scientists begging the government to cancel a bubble plan.
The Communities Secretary said his own larger family has changed their plans and will now meet in video calls instead of in person.
And he said that others may “think that this time we are going to be little and we can meet in the spring; Easter may be the new Christmas for some people.”
It comes as the four nations of the UK today hold new talks on the way forward after medical journals warned that the five-day relaxation is a “mistake” that will cost “many lives.
But Jenrick confirmed that Boris Johnson intends not to change the laws agreed to last month, in which people of any skill level can travel and gather in a unique three-household ‘Christmas bubble’ from December 23-27.
Instead, it is believed that families will be asked to reconsider seeing elderly relatives. People can also be encouraged to “stay local” rather than travel the country.
(Image: PA)
The decision increases the risk that Scotland will break with the four-nation approach and impose stricter rules north of the border.
When asked to confirm whether the Prime Minister was willing to change the law, Jenrick told Sky News: “No.”
He added: “Our position is that the legal framework will continue.
“But because the infection rate is increasing in many parts of the country, because we can see international examples like Thanksgiving, it is up to each and every family across the country this morning and in the Days to come have that conversation over the breakfast table, is that right for our family? “
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham admitted that it is now “difficult” to change the Christmas laws.
But he said having three homes for five days was “too much” and “people should now think about changing their plans.”
Under the Christmas bubble system, people in the same bubble can stay in the same house and share meals and go to places of worship together.
(Image: Getty Images / iStockphoto)
The Christmas bubbles must be unique and exclusive. Other level rules will be maintained, such as pub and restaurant closings.
But since they were agreed, cases have increased exponentially in London and parts of the South East, forcing a total of 34.2 million people to enter Level 3 in England.
And a new strain of the virus has been discovered that ministers believe is spreading faster, although it is currently not believed to be more dangerous or resistant to vaccines.
Jenrick said that with the progress of a vaccine, many people will now be thinking “why not wait and reunite the family later in 2021?”
But after the government imposed the toughest peacetime restrictions on its own remembered citizens, he added: “We are not telling people how to make this decision … You cannot legislate for every eventuality.”
He added to Sky: “You want the government to tell everyone what they should do at Christmas. My opinion is that the government can establish a legal framework, so people should use their good judgment. “
(Image: Press Association Images)
He said some vulnerable people “may choose” to join the family if “they don’t know how many more Christmases await them.”
But people can still choose a “smaller group, just their own home, maybe their own home plus another person who is part of their bubble.”
And relaxing the rules “will have consequences” in terms of infections and deaths, Jenrick admitted.
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