People are being urged to have a "cautious" Christmas, according to a Government minister who has changed his own plans.
Steve Barclay told LBC he had downsized the number of family members at his Christmas celebrations this year, with only his in-laws attending.
The Cabinet Office minister said: "We are saying to people that they should continue with Christmas but do so in a cautious way. That is what I will be doing with my own family.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson hints at date for new restrictions amid Christmas lockdown calls
"We can all protect our families and friends by having the booster."
When asked what a cautious Christmas is, he added: "I think it is thinking about how many people we need to see. Some of my family won't be coming over at Christmas. My wife's parents will be joining us but others will not."
Mr Barclay said the government will "look closely at the data" about whether or not to have a circuit-breaker lockdown after Christmas.
When asked if the measure was being considered by LBC, Mr said: "We are looking closely at the data, there is much we still don't know about the severity of Omicron, how it leads to hospital admissions.
"We are looking particularly at the London data, there is a higher prevalence of Omicron particularly in London."
Asked if he had been among members of the Cabinet calling for more data before new restrictions were introduced, Mr Barclay said: "I think it is right that the Cabinet has a full and robust discussion.
"That is what people would expect. It is right that we look at the balance between protecting lives and livelihoods."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here.
