Christmas Covid rules 'not an instruction to meet up'

An agreement to relax Covid rules over Christmas is not "an instruction to meet with other people",
Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford has said.

Three households from around the UK will be able to meet from 23 December until at least
27 December.

It follows an agreement between the UK government and ministers in Wales, Scotland and
Northern Ireland.

Mr Drakeford said he believed people would be unwilling to stick to "strict rules" over the Christmas
period.

It comes as Welsh ministers consider whether more restrictions will be needed in the run up to
Christmas, as cases rise among the under-25s.

The first minister called for a "common approach" to dealing with the aftermath of Christmas -
earlier he warned that relaxing rules would lead to an "inevitable" rise in coronavirus.

Welsh Conservatives welcomed the agreement, but Plaid Cymru warned that "hard-gotten gains"
must not be lost "for the sake of a few days".

'Controlled'

Mr Drakeford told BBC Wales: "If we ask people just to stick to the strict rules we have now
I'm afraid lots of people will not be prepared to do that.

"So it's not a choice between relaxation or no relaxation.

"It's having a form of relaxation where there are rules that people will recognise that will
allow people to enjoy Christmas, but we'll do it in a controlled way."

Reaction

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said a "compassionate but responsible approach" was "sensible",
but said the Welsh Government "has a responsibility to ensure clear communication over
the festive period, encouraging people to follow the guidelines".

Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Paul Davies welcomed the decision and said it showed
"what can be achieved when governments work together".

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