Express.co.uk readers voted in our poll on whether they would push back Christmas celebrations to the summer to help combat the spread of coronavirus after the move was suggested by members of the Government’s Scientific Group for Emergencies (Sage). A huge 83 percent of respondents said no, while 16 percent backed the proposal and one percent replied that they did not know.
Commenting on the poll, one reader insisted: “It will be a different Christmas this year, but, still Christmas!”
Another fumed: “They can shove that idea.”
A third said: “No need to move festivities, you can’t stop people coming together.
“We will just have to have another lock down in February………..and so ad infinitum.”
Another commented: “We can’t have Christmas in the summer!
“There’ll be no snow to keep the reindeer’s cool or for Santa’s sleigh to run on – so no presents can be delivered. Unless Amazon steps in…”
A fifth wrote: “God forbid we are ever in another major war. This country is falling apart.
“Can anyone imagine during either war ‘anyone’ suggesting moving Christmas.
READ MORE: Coronavirus vaccine could be given out on CHRISTMAS DAY
Our poll comes as England has entered a four-week national lockdown, which is due to end on December 2.
Speaking during a Downing Street press conference on Thursday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said “the objective” is to return to regional restrictions next month so “people across this country will be able to have as normal a Christmas as possible”.
But Sage has put forward the possibility of postponing Christmas celebrations until the summer.
The guidance presented to ministers said: “Whenever announcing that a particular form of social interaction needs to be avoided, then actively propose and support less risky forms of mixing.
“These could include carrying out the activity at a later date e.g. planning a summer family get together to replace meeting at Christmas.
“If people find it emotionally or practically impossible to avoid making contact with someone outside their household then they should be encouraged to make meeting that person as safe as possible.
“For example, by self-quarantining before meeting (reducing contact with other people as far as possible for 14 days) and avoiding close and prolonged contact when meeting.”
It comes as the UK confirmed 24,957 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, taking the overall total to 1,171,441.
The death toll increased by 413 to 48,888, according to the Government’s latest figures.
Express.co.uk polled 2,429 people on November 7.
