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Chief Grinch Matt Hancock bans hugs at Christmas but hopes rise families can meet up for festive dinners
CHIEF Grinch Matt Hancock today appeared to ban hugs at Christmas - but raised hopes families can meet up for festive dinners.
The Health Secretary suggested even if the strict coronavirus rules are relaxed for the period, Brits will still be expected to social distance.
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It will come as a blow to families looking forward to a more "normal" end to December, and to being able to be closer then they have for the past few months.
But, while chairs may need to be more spaced out than usual for Christmas dinner, Mr Hancock also raised hopes families will definitely be able to be together on the big day.
Multiple households are expected to be able to mingle - but not hug - for a few days surrounding the festive period.
The Government is keeping a tight lid on exactly what the plans will be, but it seems certain the strict rules will be relaxed for a short amount of time.
Mr Hancock told BBC Breakfast there is a need to "respect the fact that we mustn't spread the virus further but also respect the fact that Christmas is a special time where people get together, especially with their families".
He added: "It's about getting the balance right and allowing people to have a Christmas that undoubtedly will be different this year but still try to have that cherished Christmas with your family as much as possible.
"I've got no doubt that people will continue to respect social distancing throughout, because we know that that is so important for full control of the virus."
FESTIVE FREEDOMS?
It comes after Dame Cressida Dick said cops have "other things to do"; than barge in on lunches to enforce Covid rules throughout the holiday.
The Metropolitan Police chief today said officers won’t be bursting into homes or knocking on doors unless there is evidence of a "huge" party.
Police will instead be taking a ‘softly, softly’ approach to festive family dinners - and could turn a blind eye to "six plus grandma" in one house.
Earlier today Dame Cressida stressed police do not have powers of forcing entry into people’s homes, as the nation is asked to follow the rules at Christmas.
The London police chief told LBC’s Nick Ferrari: “I have no intention anyway of encouraging my people to be barging through people’s doors or knocking on people’s doors.
“Unless you’ve got, as we sometimes do, and then they can’t barge, they may knock, a huge party going on.
“Which is clearly very, very dangerous and causing lots of concern in the neighbours, well then we may be knocking on doors, saying you need to stop this.”
Asked by the presenter whether police would look the other way if there was “six plus grandma” under one roof, Dame Cressida said: “Let’s see what the rules are.”
But she added: “I have no interest in interrupting family Christmas dinners. The police have lots of other things to be doing.”
I've got no doubt that people will continue to respect social distancing throughout, because we know that that is so important for full control of the virus.
Matt Hancock
Mr Hancock today said he would like a unified four-nations approach to the official rules over the Christmas period.
And he dismissed the idea that it should be up to families to decide their own rules for Christmas, adding people could pass the virus on without knowing it.
But he acknowledged: "Christmas is a special time of year and we've had such a difficult year in 2020 - it has been such a terrible year and having some hope, some joy at Christmas, I know that would be welcomed by so many people."
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that while 2020 has been "such a difficult year", there are signs the current lockdown in England is working.
"There are promising signs that we have seen a flattening of the number of cases since lockdown was brought in and that is good news, though clearly there is further to go," he said.
Families could form social "bubbles" with up to four households for five days of "freedom" over the festive period.
The move would allow relatives to spend several days together and wouldn't have to choose between grandparents.
I have no interest in interrupting family Christmas dinners.
Dame Cressida Dick
Public Health England officials warned every day of easing would demand "five days of tighter restrictions". This paves the way for 25 days of lockdown in the New Year.
Ministers are due to announce a new system of regional restrictions next week for the period after December 2.
Government scientists are pushing for the three-tier systemto be strengthened in the run-up to Christmas to prevent an upsurge in infections.
But Boris Johnson wants to relax Covid rules over Christmas to allow families to come together "at the end of what has been an incredibly difficult year".
With Christmas Eve falling on a Thursday and a planned Bank Holiday for Monday December 28, ministers are targeting the five-day weekend to ease restrictions.
Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter, statistician at the University of Cambridge, told Today he fears mixing at Christmas could lead to "tens of thousands" more Covid cases, requiring an extra clampdown.
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"It is quite plausible that a few days of relaxing would lead to tens of thousands of more cases and that means extra deaths and measures needed to bring those under control," he said.
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But one health boss has suggested Brits should swap Christmas dinners indoors for picnics in the park to stop Covid spreading.
Dr Hans Kluge, the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Europe chief said this year would be a "different Christmas but that does not mean it cannot be a merry one."
Cops have NO INTEREST in barging in on family Xmas dinners to enforce Covid rules, says Met police chief
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