A MINISTER today refused to rule out changes to the Christmas bubble rules today – as fears grew over the rise of cases ahead of the holidays.

Steve Barclay urged people to "do the minimum" seeing family and friends this Christmas, a stark watering down of the Government's message.

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Under plans agreed across the UK, up to three households will be able to form a "Christmas bubble" and meet between 23 and 27 December.

But Chief Secretary to the Treasury Steve Barclay told Sky News today: "It's not saying that people must go and see family.

"It's saying that where families want to see each other, they won't be criminalised for doing so."

Asked if plans for the easing of Covid-19 restrictions over the festive period were being reviewed, Mr Barclay told Sky News: "All things are always kept under review."

On BBC he was asked: "In your mind is there a possibility that the Government might have to change the advice about the five day break?"

He replied, dodging the question: "I don't think we should misinterpret that advice over the period… it's not that all restrictions are being lifted."

Chris Whitty has repeatedly stressed that just because people are allowed to travel to see family over Christmas, it doesn't mean they should.

A UK Government source stressed this morning there were "no plans" to change the Christmas rules.

And yesterday Downing Street insisted that the bubbles plans would go ahead – even for areas in the toughest tiers.

But it comes as other European countries have announced stricter rules over the Christmas break than the UK – and some worry the rules may be too lax.

One MP told Playbook: “I am kept awake at night imagining the nightmare of every other European country locking down much more severely over Christmas, while we don’t and end up with thousands more deaths.” 

It came as:

• Schools were ordered to remain open until the end of the week – facing court action if they close early
• London, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire will be plunged into Tier 3 tonight
• Matt Hancock revealed a fresh strain of coronavirus could be spreading more quickly, and helping lead to an increase in cases in the South East

London Mayor Sadiq Khan called on the Government to look again at the easing of coronavirus restrictions over Christmas.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We heard from Matt Hancock yesterday that it appears the Government is looking at this again. I would encourage them to do so if they are."

He said the capital would be going to Tier 3, then effectively Tier "0" before back up to Tier 3 again – and ministers "haven't got it right" on this.

Experts warned against meeting up if people could.

David Nabarro, a World Health Organisation (WHO) special envoy working on Covid-19, said the price of such a relaxation "could well be very high".

Urging people to think carefully about their plans, he told Times Radio: "Just ask yourself, is there any way in which you can perhaps not have the family get-togethers this year?

"It's much better not to do it when there's this kind of virus about."

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."

What are the Christmas rules for other countries?

• In Germany shops will close from tomorrow until mid-January – and over the Christmas period each household can have up to four adult guests (not including kids)

• In France bars, restaurants and cinemas will stay closed, and an 8pm curfew will be in place.

• The Netherlands is having a five-week lockdown starting today seeing everything except essential shops closed and people are told to stay home. Over Christmas they can have just three people to celebrate.

• In Italy there's a travel ban between different regions specifically over the Christmas period – and people can't leave their home towns on 25th, 26th December, or 1st Jan. Already a series of regional lockdowns are in place

• In Spain social gatherings on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day will be limited to 10 people (including kids)

• Austria will see bars and restaurants closed over the holiday period – and people from areas of high infection still have to quarantine

Speaking at Downing Street last night, Mr Hancock would not rule out further action.

He said: "The best thing to do in the face of the virus is to act fast.. And we do not rule out further action.

"This rise in transmission and this new variant should be a warning to all to never lose sight of each of our own roles in this, our personal responsibility."

The Health Secretary also warned Brits repeatedly to be careful care at Christmas, as many people prepare to head home and see their loved ones.

He fell short of telling people to self-isolate before seeing elderly relatives, but he stressed people should be "extremely" cautious about who they see in the run up to the festive period.

And England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty also struck a cautious tone, saying people should not meet at Christmas just because they can.

He said: "The point of this (relaxation of rules) is for, under certain circumstances, families who wish to, to get together, but they really have to be very, very careful.

"And in particular, incredibly careful if they're around people who are vulnerable, who are at very high risk of this virus."

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