Have your say: Have rising COVID rates changed your Christmas plans?

There are renewed fears that coronavirus cases will continue to rise in the UK after restrictions are lifted at Christmas, as London and surrounding areas prepare to move into Tier 3.

Scientists have warned that the introduction of Christmas bubbles – meaning up to three families can spend time together between 23 and 27 December – could lead to a COVID-19 spike.

On Monday, health secretary Matt Hancock announced that London, along with parts of Essex and Hertfordshire, will go into the highest level of restrictions, Tier 3, from Wednesday, following a rise in cases.

He said higher infections in the South East may be in part due to a newly identified variant of coronavirus which is growing faster than the existing one.

The government is now under increasing pressure to deliver a new message to the public ahead of Christmas.

David Nabarro, a World Health Organisation (WHO) special envoy working on COVID-19, said the price of relaxing restrictions over Christmas “could well be very high”.

Professor Stephen Reicher, of the University of St Andrews, said: “Right now we are heading towards disaster.

“Given high levels of infection across the country and the increasing levels in some areas (such as London) it is inevitable that if we all do choose to meet up over Christmas then we will pay the price in the new year.”

Conservative MP Stephen Hammond, who represents Wimbledon in London, told BBC Two’s Newsnight there could be a “rethinking” over whether it is appropriate for families to gather at Christmas.

Downing Street insisted there were no plans to change the Christmas bubble policy despite the fears.

Read more: Scientists warn of third wave risk over Christmas bubble plan

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