Boris Johnson has advised people to minimise contacts before seeing loved ones at Christmas, and to avoid travelling from high prevalence areas to ones that are not so badly affected.

The Prime Minister addressed the nation in the Downing Street press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

“We’ve decided that the overall situation is alas worse,” head said.

“More challenging than we hoped when we first set the rules.

“While it would not be right to criminalise people who made plans and simply want to spend time with their loved ones, we’re collectively, across the UK, governments at every level, asking you to think hard and in detail about the days ahead.

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

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

“It’s always going to be safest to minimise the number of people you meet. That means if you are visiting others over Christmas we’re asking you in the five days beforehand, as early as this Friday, to reduce the number of people you are in contact with to the lowest possible.

“If possible don’t travel from a high prevalence to a lower prevalence area and avoid staying away from home overnight if you can.”

The Prime Minister went on to say people should avoid crowds as we approach the festive season and New Year.

Mr Johnson said: “And whatever your plans for Christmas, please think carefully about avoiding crowds in the Boxing Day sales.

“And no one should be gathering in large groups to see in the New Year.”

He added: “If you have an elderly relative you might want to delay seeing them until they have been vaccinated.”

The Prime Minister predicted a "normal as usual" Christmas next year.

“So, have yourselves a merry little Christmas – and, I’m afraid this year I do mean little," he said.

“But with the vaccine, and all the other measures we are taking, we do know that things will be better in this country by Easter.

“And, I’m sure that next year Christmas will be as normal as usual for every family in the country.”

The announcement came after talks took place on Tuesday and Wednesday involving the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove.

Mr Johnson told MPs in the Commons earlier today: “We don’t want to criminalise people’s long-made plans.”

He added: “But we do think it’s absolutely vital that people should – at this very, very tricky time – exercise a high degree of personal responsibility, especially when they come into contact with elderly people, and avoid contact with elderly people wherever possible.”