England’s chief medical officer has warned the public to be “very, very sensible” and not go “too far” over Christmas as it is a risky period for coronavirus.

Speaking at the Downing Street press conference on Thursday, Professor Chris Whitty said the combination of rising Covid-19 infection rates in some areas, the Christmas period and winter pressures on the NHS painted a “concerning picture”.

Coronavirus restrictions are due to be relaxed across the UK between December 23 and 27 to allow families to form bubbles and spend some limited time together over the festive period.

But Prof Whitty emphasised that despite the temporary rules change allowing people to do certain things, it did not mean they necessarily should.

He said: “A third wave is not inevitable, but the way we prevent it is by everybody, all of us, coming together and actually deciding we want to try and stick to the guidance that’s there.

“And accept that Christmas is a period when we can do things, that’s the reason why the rules are being relaxed, but that doesn’t mean we should do things.

“People should really be very, very sensible over that period and over this whole period of risk because this is a very risky period for us.

“But it is definitely not inevitable that things will get substantially worse, that’s something we need to all work together on.”

Prof Whitty said rising rates of infection in the South East were “concerning” and that questions would have to be asked about whether more measures were needed.

“Throughout this there’s a very difficult balance where if we don’t do a sufficient number of things the rates start to go up,” he said.

Prof Whitty highlighted that winter was a time when “for all respiratory viruses, rates go up”, which was seen across Europe.

He said that rates were falling “really quite consistently” in areas such as the Midlands where stricter regulations had been adhered to, but this had not happened in areas with lower restrictions such as parts of London, Essex and Kent.

Prof Whitty added: “I think if these rates are going up towards the tail end of lockdown, that is quite a concerning situation.

“So I think we need to actually keep quite a close eye on that, because we all know, the Christmas period, if people go too far in the Christmas period it’s going to be a period of risk everywhere.

“So if you add the rates going up, difficult time of year, Christmas period, and then going into the toughest time of the year for the NHS, January and February are always the toughest time for the NHS, that does paint quite a concerning picture.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock also warned that it was important not to “blow” the progress made in controlling coronavirus.

He said: “The fall in the number of cases has flattened off and is rising in some parts of the country, like Kent and Essex and some parts of London.

“This shows us that this fight is not over and how we must all play our part and stay on our guard now and through Christmas.”

Mr Hancock also said there would be no special set of rules covering New Year’s as there is planned for Christmas.

Asked at the Downing Street press conference if people would be able to spend New Year’s Eve with close family members, Mr Hancock said: “Yes, if you live with them in your household, but we are not bringing in a special set of rules for New Year as we have for Christmas.”

He added: “We have got to be careful and let’s not blow it, especially with the vaccine on the horizon.”