Public Health Scotland is “strongly” urging people to defer Christmas parties in response to the Omicron variant.

Dr Nick Phin said: “I appreciate that everyone is keen to celebrate this festive season, particularly after the pressures of the last 20 months, but by postponing some plans we can all do our bit to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”

He pointed to early evidence that suggests Omicron is “much more transmissible” than previous variants – and said a number of outbreaks have been linked to parties.

“We still need to learn more about the severity of disease caused by Omicron and the effectiveness of vaccines, but there are important things that we can do to help protect ourselves and our families now,” he said.

“To help minimise the further spread of COVID-19, and Omicron, in particular, I would strongly urge people to defer their Christmas parties to another time.”

He went on to advise people to follow other measures to help slow the spread, including getting a booster jab, taking a COVID test before socialising with other households, and meeting outside.

At a Downing Street news conference yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson had said Christmas parties and school nativities should still go ahead.

“They should follow the guidance, of course, but we are not saying we want kids to be taken out of school before the end of term – not that there is very long to go now – and we don’t want nativity plays to be cancelled,” Mr Johnson said.

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