Why not simply celebrate Christmas in the summer? That's the question top scientists have posed in a new paper as the UK braces for a festive season like no other.
With the country back in lockdown until at least December 2, SAGE scientists have written a paper that suggests a drastic re-thinking of how we might be able to celebrate the big day.
The paper, which is titled Positive Strategies For Sustaining Adherence To Infection Control Behaviours, suggests a number of ways that people could adapt their lives to minimise spreading coronavirus. Among these is holding off a family event to celebrate Christmas and instead organising to do something in the summer.
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As part of what it calls some 'less risky' alternatives that the government could suggest when announcing any new imminent restriction, SAGE suggest holding any key social events at a later date, 'e.g. planning a summer family get together to replace meeting at Christmas'.
It continues: "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."
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Scientists also suggest trying to hold any important events outside such as 'fireworks or doorstep celebrations to replace indoor celebrations' to help with social distancing.
The suggestion is unlikely to go down well with those for whom Christmas still represents an important religious holiday - or indeed any of the other key dates that the UK's multiple religions acknowledge.
That said, we've all toyed with the idea of escaping the cold for some winter sun over the festive period and it's only the northern hemisphere that are used to seeing Christmas out in the winter.
The paper's intent is to find positive reinforcement to help with people's mental health amidst the pandemic, and suggests activities that the public would be likely to enjoy.
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"These include activities involving physical activity, social interaction, outdoor activity, creativity, and helping others.
"These activities will be especially important to allow when restriction of other activity is prolonged and extensive, unless there is evidence that they are not being carried out safely," the paper adds.
The news comes as the UK recorded 23,287 new cases of coronavirus yesterday (November 6), with a further 1,525 hospital admissions and 355 new deaths caused by the virus.
Featured Image Credit: Milan Ilic Photographer/ShutterstockTopics: UK News