Confusion over Christmas rules as West Midlands set to stay in Tier 3
Christmas Covid restrictions have been mired in confusion after separate advice was issued for different parts of the UK.
Boris Johnson said the four UK nations had "unanimously" agreed to relax rules over Christmas, with up to three households in England allowed to form a festive bubble from December 23-27.
But Wales strengthened guidance by allowing only two households to mix, and Scotland advised against mixing for the full five days.
Meanwhile council chiefs across the West Midlands said people could “pay the price” for mixing with others when measures are eased.
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They warned of a post-Christmas third wave which could see hospitals overrun and an increase in deaths.
Ministers are expected to confirm on Thursday that the region will remain under strict Tier 3 measures for at least the next two weeks.
Infection rates across most parts of the region are on the up, while Covid deaths have risen for 11 consecutive weeks and now stand at their highest total since late-May.
'Think carefully' plea
In a joint statement, the leaders of the seven West Midlands Combined Authority councils urged people to “think carefully” about whether meeting friends and family over Christmas was a good idea.
They said the virus “continues to pile pressure on the NHS and the very last thing our hospitals need is a post-Christmas third wave”.
The leaders said: “The roll-out of the vaccination offers us all hope for a happier 2021, but it remains very clear that we will collectively pay the price in the New Year if people have too much social contact over Christmas.
“This is not an attempt to ruin Christmas and we absolutely understand the need for people to celebrate together. But losing a friend or loved one in the New Year would be a terrible price to pay.
“So please think long and hard about your Christmas plans and do everything you can to keep people safe.”
Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant urged people to use common sense and said: “Don’t start hugging granny and don’t go wild over Christmas.”
Wolverhampton South West MP Stuart Anderson, said: “I am concerned about the Christmas period and my plea to everyone is to do everything you can to be as safe as possible.”
The Prime Minister defended the way the festive advice had been handled and denied that the waters had been muddied by conflicting advice, leading to confusion.
He said: “It is not right to criminalise people who simply want to spend time with their loved ones.
“But we are asking people to think about whether you can do more to protect yourself and others.
“A smaller Christmas is going to be safer Christmas and a shorter Christmas is a safer Christmas.”
The tier system will then return on December 28 when the five-day festive bubble period comes to an end. Measures are expected to be reviewed before the New Year.
Tier 3 means pubs and restaurants will remain shut, except for takeaway, and that fans are not allowed into sports stadiums.
