People should not hug or kiss their grandparents at Christmas despite the loosening of coronavirus restrictions, one of the UK’s top medical officers has warned.
In the strongest Christmas covid warning yet, Professor Chris Whitty said: "Would I encourage someone to hug and kiss their elderly relatives? No I would not, if you want them to survive to be hugged again."
He added: "Would I want someone to see their family? Of course, that’s what Christmas is about, whether people celebrate Christmas as a festival themselves or from any other belief system. It is an opportunity for families.
"But would I encourage someone to hug and kiss their elderly relatives? No, I would not."
The warning came as the Prime Minister said further lockdowns in the new year might be necessary if people do not adhere to new tier system of lockdown rules unveiled for England on Thursday. Separate covid alert levels are in place already in Scotland.
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, Professor Whitty added to concerns about the five-day loosening over Christmas.
Addressing social distancing indoors with elderly relatives, he said: "It is not against the law – and that's the whole point. You can do it in the rules that are there but it does not make sense because you could be carrying the virus and if you've got an elderly relative, that would not be the thing you want to do in the period where we're running up to a point where we might be able to protect older people.
“I think people just have to have sense and this is very much what I think people will do.”
Prof Whitty said: “In terms of Christmas, Christmas will increase the risk, everyone knows that. That’s not a secret at all.
“But that is not the only risk over this period at all.”
He added: “Take it really seriously during Christmas. Don’t do stupid things. Don’t do unnecessary things just because the rules say you can. Think sensibly.”
