Southend’s health boss has urged people not to mix with other households over Christmas... despite PM Boris Johnson confirming there is no change to festive guidance in England.

The stark warning comes after the Government plunged parts of Essex into Tier 3 yesterday, with Basildon’s infection rate continuing to be among the highest in the country.

Southend Council’s director of public health has told people to think of their loved ones before mixing households over the festive period.

Krishna Ramkhelawon said: “It’s a real challenge for the system currently and I think it’s going to be even more challenging with the rates going up and that also reaching our older age groups as well.

Echo:

Fears - Krishna Ramkhelawon

“It’s a very challenging time for the NHS and that is why it is so important right now that we try and break the chain of transmission of the infection in our communities and get more and more people tested as quickly as possible.

“My advice to people is very clear: unless you have to mix over Christmas maybe you need to think for yourself is that the right thing to do or not? And what are the risks that you’re going to be putting your friends, families and relatives in in mixing over Christmas?

“I think right now the message is clear. If you do not have to mix over Christmas please don’t do it.”

The Prime Minister addressed the nation yesterday afternoon with an updated message on the rules for this Christmas, warning people the three households, five days provisions were “maximums, not a target to aim for.£

Boris Johnson asked people to “think hard and in detail” about their Christmas plans as he advised people to avoid travelling from higher tiers to ones that are not as badly affected.

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Warning - Boris Johnson

He also told people to have as minimal contact as possible before mixing households over the festive period and warned shoppers to avoid sale crowds on Boxing Day - traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Although some retailers have said December 26 sales will be spread over multiple days, therefore overcrowding can be avoided.

At the Downing Street press conference, Mr Johnson said: “We’ve decided that the overall situation is alas worse. More challenging than we hoped when we first set the rules.

“We’re keeping the law the same but we all want to send the same message: a smaller Christmas is going to be a safe Christmas and a shorter Christmas is a safer Christmas.”

He added: “When we say three households can meet on five days I want to stress these are maximums and not targets to aim for.”

The Prime Minister finished his statement by saying: “So, have yourselves a merry little Christmas – and, I’m afraid this year I do mean

little.”