A BOURNEMOUTH MP has suggested the “more vigilant” residents are over the Christmas period the sooner the region’s economy can open up.

Earlier this week Tobias Ellwood, MP for Bournemouth East, warned the Government that relaxing the rules too far over the festive season could lead to a third wave of Covid-19 in the new year.

However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday confirmed the festive bubble policy allowing up to three households to mix between December 23 and December 27 would remain in place despite the warnings it will lead to more deaths.

During a press conference Mr Johnson said it would be “inhuman” to ban Christmas entirely but added that people should “think hard” about what they do and a “smaller Christmas is going to be a safer Christmas”.

The original UK-wide plans would have seen three households allowed to form a festive bubble over the five-day period.

But despite efforts to maintain a four-nation approach, Wales will legislate to restrict mixing to two households and all parts of the UK are issuing tougher guidance.

The Prime Minister admitted the coronavirus situation had deteriorated since the festive rules were set by the four nations of the UK.

Mr Johnson said: “While it would not be right, we think, to criminalise people who have 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.”

He said the laws were remaining the same but “a smaller Christmas is going to be a safer Christmas and a shorter Christmas is a safer Christmas”.

He added: “Have yourselves a merry little Christmas – and I’m afraid this year I do mean little.

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

Mr Ellwood told the Daily Echo: “Many of us have expressed concern (about the Christmas rules). The Prime Minister has now concluded on this.

“The message on this locally must be our determination towards Tier 1.

“While that advice over Christmas hasn’t changed, the more vigilant we are, the quicker we can move to Tier 1 and get our economy opening up.”

He added: “It isn’t just here, this pandemic is ripping across the world in this third wave. Germany, complete lockdown. France, Portugal, Spain, all moving to higher tiers or full lockdowns as well, so this isn’t unique for the UK. The question is do we want to undo that good work and potentially put pressure on the NHS at the most difficult time of the year in January - that is what we need to be cautious about.”

Councillor Nicola Greene, BCP Council portfolio holder for Covid resilience, said: "The message is everyone needs to follow the guidance and do everything they can to keep themselves safe.

"Do what you can, but do it safely. We trying to make sure we enjoy things within the rules.

"People need to follow their own judgement over whether making use of the opportunity given by the relaxation of the rules is right for them."

England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said modelling indicated the looser restrictions would lead to more deaths.

“Any kind of period where people come together in groups that otherwise wouldn’t meet leads to an increase in risks and that will lead to an increase in hospitalisations and deaths,” he said.

He suggested it was not worth the risk of meeting the “most vulnerable” until they have been vaccinated.

“We are tantalisingly close to the stage where anybody who gets into trouble as a result of actions this Christmas would have been protected in the very near future,” he said.

“It is very important people think about that when they make decisions over the next few weeks.”

Prof Whitty said his advice for Christmas was: “Keep it small, keep it short, keep it local and think of the most vulnerable people.”