EAsitar could be the “new Christmas”, the community secretary said, adding that the government is ready to tell people to take maximum precautions in the five-day window when the rules are relaxed.

Ahead of the second meeting of the four UK governments this morning, Robert Genrick said the legal framework would “continue” but stressed that it was “the responsibility of every family” to discuss whether they needed to be implemented.

According to a source in yesterday’s meeting chaired by Michael Gove, Nicola Sturgeon proposed to reduce the number of families in the Christmas bubble from three to two as well as reduce the number of days.

However, all four countries have indicated that they could potentially survive while maintaining a stable situation.

Speaking to Sky News this morning, Mr Generick said: “The legal framework will continue, but the rate of infection in many parts of the country, as we see international examples like Thanksgiving, extends to every family. To do and ask ‘Is this right for our family?’ “

“It’s a virus that improves social interaction, so it’s not expensive to gather more people in this short period of time. Increasing the rate will have consequences. It will increase.”

Mr Genrick suggested that some people want to keep large family gatherings closed until spring. Easter could be the new Christmas, ”he added.

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