Scots have been "strongly" urged not to go to Christmas parties, just one day after Boris Johnson said they were OK to attend.
Public Health Scotland issued new Covid advice today asking people to postpone their festive bash this year and do their "bit to protect ourselves and our loved ones".
At Wednesday's Covid-19 briefing, Mr Johnson said Christmas parties could go ahead but that people should exercise caution.
He said: "It's OK to keep going with Christmas parties but obviously everybody should exercise due caution, have ventilation, wash your hands, get a test before you go - give everybody else confidence they are going to be meeting somebody who is not contagious.”
Downing Street will not be hosting any Christmas parties themselves this year, despite the PM's OK to go ahead.
No10 officials will be focusing on the "intensive work" needed to tackle Omicron.
There are also fears growing over the rapid spread of the "much more transmissible" Omicron variant.
It comes as the UK recorded a 50,867 new infections and the latest UK Health and Security Agency confirms 109 cases of Omicron north of the border.
Dr Nick Phin, Director of Public Health Science and Medical Director, said a significant number of Covid outbreaks in Scotland have been linked to parties.
He said: “There is much that we still need to learn about Omicron, but early evidence suggests that this new Covid variant is much more transmissible. The impact of this transmissibility has been seen in recent weeks, with a number of Omicron outbreaks 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.
"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.
“I appreciate that everyone is keen to celebrate this festive season, particularly after the pressures of the last twenty months, but by postponing some plans we can all do our bit to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”
Throughout the pandemic, a tightening of restrictions in Scotland has frequently been followed by similar measures in England.
Mr Johnson, meanwhile, is under increasing pressure after it was revealed Downing Street had a secret Christmas party last December, at the height of the second wave.
He was forced to apologise after footage emerged of senior staff laughing and joking about "cheese and wine" and "definitely" no social distancing at the get-together.
No10 has confirmed they will not be hosting a party this year.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: "As the Prime Minister said Christmas parties can continue to go ahead under Plan B.
"Everyone should continue to behave cautiously and we recommend people take lateral flow tests before meeting others socially in high-risk settings, but it is up to individual businesses and people to decide what works for them.
"No10 is focused on tackling the rise of the new omicron variant and the ongoing pandemic, and there are therefore no plans for a party while this intensive work is ongoing."
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had asked Scots to comply "strictly with current protections", adding in tweets on Wednesday: "And even if you feel angry with a politician just now, please remember just how important compliance is for the health and safety of you, your loved ones and the country."
Health Secretary Sajid Javid told the Commons this week that there was now community transmission of Omicron in all regions of England.
On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced the country would move to the government's Plan B plan for Covid curbs, with home-working advised from next week.
It also includes more mandated face masks in places such as theatres and cinemas and a Covid pass system for large public events.
Tory MPs will vote on the plans next week, with backbenchers set to rebel.
