Business Secretary Alok Sharma has said it is “too early” to know whether social distancing restrictions could be eased around Christmas.
The Government will decide next week how to end the second national lockdown as ministers come under pressure to outline any restrictions which could be in place over the Christmas period.
Downing Street is reportedly considering a five-day temporary relaxation of restrictions, allowing different households to mix indoors, was among the options being considered by health bosses.
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said it was his “very firm expectation” that measures will be eased significantly in December.
However, Mr Sharma insisted it is too early to tell whether the lockdown has succeeded and virus infection levels will be low enough to allow festivities to go ahead.
Asked about reports that measures could be relaxed for five days, he told BBC Breakfast: “I want to have my mum and dad around, I want to have members of my family around that Christmas table.
“I just think it’s too early to be reaching any conclusions on that. What none of us knows right now is what the infection rate is going to be in different parts of the country.”
It comes as leading medics have said the tiered system of Covid-19 restrictions is “inadequate” and must be revised before England leaves lockdown.
The British Medical Association (BMA) said the previous system was “inconsistent” and did not contain the spread of the virus, echoing a Government adviser who warned the tiers needed “strengthening”.
The BMA, which represents doctors, has presented its own blueprint for leaving lockdown, including “triggers” under which areas would move up and down the tiers.
The blueprint suggests non-essential travel between tiers should be “restricted” and “more robust” quarantine procedures should be put into place.
Social mixing should be encouraged to take place outdoors and there should be a two-metre distance between tables in pubs and restaurants, according to the proposals.
The blueprint also suggests the rule of six be replaced with a “rule of two households”.
