Those planning to see elderly and vulnerable people over the Christmas period have been issued with a warning.
Speaking on Monday, Matt Hancock, advised people not to push the rules and to take care.
As relaxed rules around meeting indoors coming into play next week, the Health Secretary has said it is important for people to "strike a balance" between doing things that are the least damaging, and keeping the virus under control.
He added: "The most important thing is that people are cautious and careful ahead of Christmas, and during Christmas, and hence we're saying that so clearly.
"And I think it's, certainly from talking to people, the response I get, this is how most people are thinking about Christmas, as a time yes, to see loved ones who we may not have been able to see for a long time, but to do so, really carefully."
He also warned: "So it isn't about doing the maximum that the rules allow, it's about taking personal responsibility."
Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty reiterated that people need to be cautious at Christmas and should not meet just because they can.
He said: "The point of this (relaxation of rules) is for, under certain circumstances, families who wish to, to get together, but they really have to be very, very careful.
"And in particular, incredibly careful if they're around people who are vulnerable, who are at very high risk of this virus.
"In the medium term, the vaccine is going to give us a way out, but it is not going to give us a way out between now and Christmas or indeed for the two months following that.
"We need to be really conscious of the fact that only by protecting one another, and particularly protecting the vulnerable over this period, are we going to get through to the point where people have been properly protected, and we can return to having the kinds of relationships with family that all of us want."
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Professor Chris Whitty said the measures were aimed at "striking a balance", as he acknowledged Christmas posed a risk, stating: "But, of course it's a period of risk.
"And, that's the reason we want people to take it very seriously and go no further than they have to."
Asked about the scientific modelling around the size of the rise in infections to expect from Christmas mixing, Matt Hancock said "it all depends on people's behaviour".
He said: "The most important thing is that people are cautious and careful ahead of Christmas, and during Christmas, and hence we're saying that so clearly.
"And I think it's, certainly from talking to people, the response I get, this is how most people are thinking about Christmas, as a time yes, to see loved ones who we may not have been able to see for a long time, but to do so, really carefully.
"So it isn't about, you know, doing the maximum that the rules allow, it's about taking personal responsibility."
