Chief Officer warns people to be sensible over ‘risky’ Christmas period

People must be “very, very sensible” over Christmas as the country faces a “risky period” in its coronavirus battle, England’s Chief Medical Officer has said.

Professor Chris Whitty said a third wave of the virus was “not inevitable” but urged caution when the restrictions are loosened over the festive period.

Families across the UK can spend Christmas together in bubbles of up to three households from December 23 to December 27.

But Government scientific advisers previously warned that the festive relaxation of the rules could lead to a spike in Covid-19 rates in the New Year.

Prof Whitty urged caution as he appeared at a Downing Street press conference alongside Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Prof Whitty said: “A third wave is not inevitable.

“But the way we prevent it is everybody, all of us, coming together and deciding we want to try and stick to the guidance that’s there.

“And accept that Christmas is a period when we can do things, that’s the reason why the rules are being relaxed, but that doesn’t mean we should do things.

“People should really be very, very sensible over that period and over this whole period of risk because this is a very risky period for us.

“But it’s definitely not inevitable that things will get substantially worse, that’s something we all need to work together on.”

Prof Whitty has previously warned people not to hug their elderly relatives over the Christmas holidays.

It comes as Mr Hancock unveiled plans for mass-testing in schools in the worst-hit areas after a worrying surge in cases.

London, Kent and Essex were areas of particular concern, he said.

“Looking into the detail, the testing results and survey shows us that by far the fastest rise is among secondary school-age children, 11 to 18-years-old, while the rate among adults in London is broadly flat,” he said.

“But we know from experience that a sharp rise in cases in younger people can lead to a rise among more vulnerable age groups later.

“We need to do everything we can to stop the spread among school-age children in London right now – we must not wait until the review, which will take place on December 16. “

Mr Hancock also urged people not to “blow” the progress made in controlling coronavirus over Christmas.

He said: “This shows us that this fight is not over and how we must all play our part and stay on our guard now and through Christmas.

“We’ve got help on the horizon and we can all see that with the vaccine, so don’t blow it now.”