The Government is to go ahead and ease coronavirus restrictions over Christmas even though it will lead to an increase in the infection rate, a senior minister has said.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said that it would be up to people to make a “personal judgment” whether they wanted to have a large family gathering over the Christmas period.

He suggested that some people may decide to “keep it small” and put off larger gatherings until the spring, saying: “Easter can be the new Christmas.”

Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove is resuming talks over the plans for up to three households to mix between December 23 and 27 with leaders of the devolved administrations.

Read also: Easing Covid-19 restrictions at Christmas will 'cost many lives'

Two leading medical journals warned an easing of restrictions would “cost many lives”, while the British Medical Association (BMA) echoed Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in demanding an urgent rethink.

Mr Jenrick told Sky News: “We all need to use our own personal judgment thinking about our own families whether we have particularly elderly or clinically vulnerable relatives who might be round the Christmas table and also looking at the fact that the rates of the virus are rising in many parts of the country.”

A snap YouGov survey of 3,856 adults found 57 per cent believed the plans should be dropped and the current rules remain in place during the festive period.

Some 31 per cent said the easing should go ahead as planned, while 12 per cent said they were unsure.

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