THE relaxing of Covid measures for five days over the festive period will still take place, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said.

This afternoon he told MPs that the four UK nations had agreed to continue "in principle" with the easing of such restrictions at Christmas.

But he warned people to "exercise extreme caution" when mixing with households amid fears about the spread of Covid.

It comes as the Government this week faced calls to scrap the plans over fears the lessening of restrictions would "cost many lives."

SEE MORE: Leaders in 'urgent talks' on whether to scrap easing of Covid rules at Christmas

Under Christmas bubble rules, up to three households will be allowed to mix in private homes, gardens and public outdoor spaces, between December 23 and December 27.

Residents will also be able to travel between tiers in England, regardless of whether they are coming from an area of higher risk.

SEE MORE: What you'll be able to do as rules relaxed for FIVE days over Christmas

But this afternoon, talks involving the UK Government and leaders of the devolved administration agreed to continue with the plan to relax the rules.

At Prime Minister’s Questions, the PM said it was right to “stress the importance of people taking care this Christmas”, particularly due to the risk of asymptomatic transmission of coronavirus.

He told MPs: “We should exercise extreme caution in the way we celebrate Christmas.

“We can celebrate it sensibly but we have to be extremely cautious in the way we behave.”

SEE MORE: North-East 'likely' to remain under Tier 3 as restrictions relaxed over Christmas

However in Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford said that only two households would be permitted to come together to form a Christmas bubble during the five-day period.

He said: “Here in Wales, the position is that only two households should come together to form an exclusive Christmas bubble during the five-day period.

“The fewer people we mix with in our homes, the less chance we have of catching or spreading the virus.

“None of us wants to be ill this Christmas. And we don’t want to give coronavirus to our close family or friends.

“The Chief Medical Officer for Wales has provided special advice for people who were previously shielding about mixing over Christmas.”