Relaxing coronavirus restrictions over Christmas could lead to an "unrelenting tsunami" of cases, a nursing chief has warned, as Northern Ireland braced for stricter measures in the immediate aftermath.
The Stormont executive announced a six-week lockdown to start on Boxing Day, following Wales' lead to preempt the threat to health services, while ministers in Scotland also refused to rule out tougher curbs.
Dame Donna Kinnair, UK chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said ministers should give "fresh and more detailed" advice to the public with a week to go until Christmas.
"After a difficult year, it is everybody's instinct to want to be together and see loved ones - especially those who live far apart or feel isolated. But what is at stake is coming into sharp focus," she said.
"Travelling and family visits associated with this time of year will undoubtedly lead to more cases, more pressure on NHS and care services, and more deaths. By turning the second and third waves into an unrelenting tsunami, we would begin 2021 in the worst possible way."
She said nurses would not enjoy Christmas "knowing what awaits them in January" and called on the British government to be "clearer about the risks - not just the rules", warning: "This virus isn't taking Christmas off and nor should we."
Up to three households are able to mix between December 23 and 27, while travel to and from Northern Ireland is also permitted on December 22 and 28.
Ministers agreed to introduce a six-week lockdown from December 26 to curb rising cases - with the closure of non-essential retail and contact services, as well as restricting the hospitality sector to takeaway only.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said schools were also discussed and ministers agreed they should remain "open for now", but added the health and education departments will discuss more moves such as blended learning.
"That conversation continues and I expect that both health and education will be able to say more about that over the course of the days ahead," she said.
Ms O'Neill said without this action the health service would be "completely crushed" by January.
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