Lorraine Kelly has admitted she believes easing coronavirus restrictions for Christmas would be ‘crazy’.
On Tuesday morning, ministers revealed bubbles are ‘under review’ as they urged families to do the ‘minimum’ of mixing amid fears a more infectious mutant strain has emerged.
And on her eponymous ITV programme, the presenter, 61, claimed ‘we’ll reap the whirlwind in the new year’ if the rules are temporarily lifted, after she spent weeks going back and forth about whether the festive season should be cancelled.
‘We’ll reap the whirlwind in the new year’: Lorraine Kelly has admitted she believes easing coronavirus restrictions for Christmas would be ‘crazy’
Informing the nation about the dangers of pausing the tier system, Dr. Amir Khan said: ‘We’re going to see a surge in cases in January.
‘If you are mixing with family over Christmas, make sure you don’t hug elderly relatives, maintain that distance, open windows.’
Sharing her thoughts on the debate, broadcaster Lorraine explained: ‘I couldn’t agree with you more.
‘I think it’s absolutely crazy. If we were all sensible, we could get out of this a lot quicker. GPs like yourself are rolling out the vaccine soon.’
Change of mind, again: The presenter, 61, has spent weeks going back and forth about whether the festive season should be cancelled
‘We’re going to see a surge in cases in January’: Dr. Amir Khan informed the nation about the dangers of pausing the tier system
The healthcare professional added: Yes GPs are rolling it out next week. That is good news. People are asking sensible questions. They’re worried about it. I’m looking forward to getting mine. I’ll be getting mine when it’s my turn.’
Sharing the same opinion as Dr. Amir, the host replied: ‘So am I. I couldn’t agree with you more about this Christmas Armistice day. Just make it smaller.’
On Monday’s episode, Lorraine appeared to have had a change of heart after previously calling for the UK government to cancel Christmas.
The TV star made the comments when she was discussing a poll, stating: ‘Now look, concerns over the relaxation of the restrictions over Christmas as we know.
‘I don’t think we should’: On Monday’s episode, the broadcaster appeared to have had a change of heart after previously calling for the UK government to shut down Christmas
‘We did a poll about this about whether or not we should effectively cancel Christmas, very divided, 59% of you said ‘Yes, we should’ 41% ‘No’.
‘I don’t think we should cancel Christmas, nobody wants to do that but I just keep saying, ‘Just scale it down, be sensible’.’
Just a few weeks before, the mother-of-one said she was ‘so frustrated’ that a decision had not been made to ‘save lives’ in a rant during an episode of Good Morning Britain.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace had insisted the government was aiming to ‘protect lives’, as he said: ‘Come December 2 the decisions will be made that we will try and get that balance right, but ultimately we will try and make sure we protect our NHS and safeguard lives.’
In reaction to his comments, Lorraine hit out: ‘Just say it. I’m getting so frustrated about this and I know how important Christmas is, I really do.
‘But for goodness sake, will we stop all this wooliness and trying to be nice and wanting to be loved and wanting to be liked.
‘The leaders who are in charge – say what is right for the country and what is going to save lives.’
As of Tuesday morning, treasury minister Steve Barclay said the relaxation plans were constantly being looked at, although he insisted the government was not going to ‘criminalise’ people who want to see their relatives.
Rant: A few weeks before, the mother-of-one said she was ‘so frustrated’ that a decision had not been made to ‘save lives’ on GMB (pictured with Ben Shephard and Susanna Reid)
Under the festive easing, up to three households are allowed to meet for five days between December 23 and 27.
However, government scientists fear this could fuel a new Covid variant that may be behind a surge of cases in southern England.
Urgent talks are under way in Whitehall on whether to tighten regulations in response, with a source saying: ‘The Christmas rules might change.’
In a rare joint editorial, the British Medical Journal and Health Service Journal have called on the government to abandon the loosening, warning that it will ‘cost lives’.
Sadiq Khan has added to the growing clamour, but predicted that Boris Johnson will not shift because he won’t want to be seen as the PM who ‘cancelled Christmas’.
Downing Street insisted there are no plans for a rethink despite a rise in infections that means London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire will be put under Tier Three curbs from tonight.
Up in the air: As of Tuesday morning, treasury minister Steve Barclay said the relaxation plans were constantly being looked at (UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson pictured)