Boris Johnson’s top scientific advisers have warned Britons not to hug elderly relatives at Christmas, despite new rules allowing it.
The relaxed restrictions introduced across the UK for five days over Christmas do not mandate social distancing between members of up to three households allowed to gather for the festive period.
But both chief medical officer Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance told a Downing Street press conference that hugging is not advisable.
Prof Whitty said it was best not to hug vulnerable elderly relatives “if you want them to survive to be hugged again”.
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