CHRISTMAS BUBBLES TROUBLE
MINISTERS URGED TO RETHINK RULES ON HOUSEHOLD MIXING OVER HOLIDAYS
PLANS for Christmas bubbles to ease Covid-19 rules so families can celebrate together are in deep trouble after medical experts united to warn the ‘rash’ scheme could kill many more people.
A rare joint editorial by the British Medical Journal and Health Service Journal said the government was ‘about to blunder into another major error that will cost many lives’.
As pressure grew to rethink the fiveday easing, Michael Gove held phone
talks with leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. A final decision was put off – but it may mean different socialising rules for each country could be announced tomorrow.
The article by the influential journals – read by front-line health staff – said: ‘When the government devised the plan, it assumed Covid-19 demand on the NHS would be decreasing.
‘But it is not – it is rising and the emergence of a new strain of the virus has introduced further potential jeopardy.
‘Many will see the lifting of restrictions over Christmas as permission to drop their guard.
‘The government was too slow to introduce restrictions in the spring and again in the autumn.
‘It should now reverse its rash decision and instead extend the tiers over the five-day Christmas period to bring numbers down in the advance of a likely third wave.’
The warning came as a YouGov poll revealed 57 per cent of people believe the festive easing should be scrapped – with 31 per cent saying it should go ahead. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer wrote to prime minister Boris Johnson to demand an emergency Cobra meeting to review the situation.
He warned: ‘The situation has clearly taken a turn for the worse since the decision about Christmas was taken.’ London mayor Sadiq Khan, who also criticised the capital’s move to Tier 3 from today, said: ‘It appears the government is looking at this again – I would encourage them to do so.’ The government and leaders of all three devolved nations agreed the bubble plan on November 24. It allows three households – of any number in England – to socialise indoors from December 23 to 27. Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon went into last night’s talks hinting that she may support tighter restrictions.
She said: ‘I would urge utmost caution. ‘If you can avoid mixing with other households over Christmas, especially indoors, please do so. The best gift we can give family and friends, if at all possible, is to keep our distance, meet outdoors and keep others safe.’
But Welsh leader Mark Drakeford said he would not ‘lightly put aside’ the ‘hard-won agreement’.
Their talks with cabinet office minister Mr Gove are likely to resume today, with the Northern Ireland executive saying scientists and doctors would also be consulted before a decision.
Reports last night suggested changes may include reducing the number of Christmas bubble days, or the number of households allowed.
Minister Steve Barclay had earlier denied the plan was ‘letting people loose’ and urged families to ‘do the minimum’ in mixing. He said: ‘I won’t see my parents over Christmas but I will see my parents-in-law and those are decisions many families will take.
‘We’ve got to trust the British people to act responsibly and do the minimum possible in their family situation.’
The British Medical Association said the plan ‘must be reviewed’. Its council chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul said: ‘We agree the impact on the NHS of the almost inevitable third wave of the infection in the New Year will be disastrous.’