The French had already been warned by their president that Christmas 2020 would be like no other.

The traditional réveillon dinners on December 24th and 31st which bring together family friends around the table will not quite be the same.

The Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Thursday that due to the ongoing Covid-19 epidemic in the country people should not gather in big numbers.

He said the government recommends no more than six adults around the table, without counting children.

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He called on the French to be “careful and united”.

“We need to respect hygiene barrier measures and respect the most vulnerable and the elderly,” he said.

Before the second lockdown imposed on October 30th the government had asked families to respect a “rule of six” but didn't make it a legally binding rule as it has been at times in the UK.

The French government added that limits on Christmas family gatherings due to Covid-19 were in place in many European countries. In Germany the limit has been set at 10 whilst in the UK three households are allowed to meet over the festive period.

When he announced the easing of lockdown rules last month President Emanuel Macron called on the French to be responsible over Christmas to prevent any resurgence of the virus.

 “Breathe and meet up, yes, but I appeal to your sense of responsibility,” he said.

“This won't be a Christmas holiday like any other.

“We must do everything in our power to avoid a third wave. If we want to avoid a third lockdown, we need to double our vigilance.”

If numbers permit, France will lift its lockdown on December 15th. After this date a 9pm curfew will be put in place, but the curfew will be lifted on December 24th and 31st.