Here's a summary of the latest developments...
- The UK reported 50,584 new Covid cases and 143 deaths. It marks a slight decline in cases from yesterday - when 53,945 were reported, the highest daily figure since July, and 141 people died - but a 1% rise in weekly cases.
- Government scientists have issued a stark warning on the Omicron variant, which they say could lead to a “very large wave of infections” and high numbers of people hospitalised. Minutes of a Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) meeting held on 29 November, released today, note that it is highly likely Omicron could escape immunity to some extent, but that it was unclear by how much.
- The first case of the Omicron variant has been detected in Wales, in the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board area, the Welsh Government has announced. The case is linked to international travel, according to officials.
- NHS England has said that the acceleration of booster jabs will begin “no later than 13 December”. In a letter to health leaders, NHS England said that the booking service for booster jabs will be updated to reflect the cut in time between the second dose and booster to three months and that it will go live “as soon as possible”.
- Two people at Oxford University are suspected to have the Omicron variant of coronavirus. The university said the two people are now isolating “in line with government guidance” and that their close contacts have been told and are isolating.
- Nicola Sturgeon has said that the number of Omicron cases in Scotland is rising and that a Steps concert in Glasgow has been identified as one of the sources. It comes as 16 new cases of the new variant have been recorded in Scotland in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 29.
- Number 10 refused to give details of any planned Downing Street Christmas parties, claiming they would be “private events” and would not be announced publicly.
- Downing Street said it has “no plans” to make vaccines compulsory. A spokesperson said: “We’ve set out our policy on this and we’ve said it’s not something that we would look to introduce.”
- Around one in six adults in Britain believe that life will never return to what it was pre-pandemic, according to a new survey by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). The results mark the highest proportion to share this view since the start of the pandemic.
- Covid infections continued to rise across the UK last week, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). One in 60 people in England have Covid, 1 in 45 in Northern Ireland and Wales and 1 in 65 in Scotland.
- The health minister, Edward Argar, has said this winter will be “critical” for the NHS amid Covid and Omicron. Addressing the Commons, he claimed the government is doing everything in its power to keep the NHS “standing strong this winter”.
- The Metropolitan police has said that it did not receive any complaints related to an alleged Downing Street Christmas party last year. It comes after Angela Rayner, the Labour deputy leader, asked cabinet secretary Simon Case if he is planning to call in police over allegations that parties were held despite Covid restrictions.
- One in four care home residents are reportedly yet to receive a booster shot, despite government promises that they would be offered one by the start of November. Citing figures from NHS England, the Telegraph reports that only 72% of care home residents have so far received a booster dose.
- Oliver Dowden has said he doesn’t plan to cancel the Conservatives’ Christmas party which he said is still planned to take place. He told BBC Breakfast: “I think it is still planned, and I don’t intend to cancel it as chairman of the Conservative party.”
- Britons were today urged to “keep calm and carry on with your Christmas plans” - despite the UK recording its highest cases since July. Oliver Dowden, the Conservative party chair, said people should keep going to pubs and restaurants as he claimed the government has so far taken “sufficient” action against the new Omicron variant.
That’s it from me for today. Thanks for reading. For more Covid coverage from the UK and across the world, please follow the global blog:
As the Omicron variant dampens the idea that the pandemic might be going away, Hannah Devlin reports on what the future might hold for coronavirus:
Tale of two Christmases: as UK firms cancel events, others want to party on. Archie Bland reports:
Updated
Ministers have given GPs in England the green light to provide less care to patients for the next four months so they can join the “national mission” to urgently deliver Covid booster jabs, reports Denis Campbell.
UK reports 50,584 new Covid cases and 143 deaths, as weekly infections rise
The UK reported 50,584 new Covid cases and 143 deaths.
It marks a slight decline in cases from yesterday - when 53,945 were reported, the highest daily figure since July, and 141 people died - but a 1% rise in weekly cases.
There were 7,373 patients in hospital with coronavirus yesterday and 895 patients on beds with a mechanical ventilator.
Updated
Government scientists issue stark warning on Omicron, saying could lead to 'very large wave of infections'
Government scientists have issued a stark warning on the Omicron variant, which they say could lead to a “very large wave of infections” and high numbers of people hospitalised.
Minutes of a Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) meeting held on 29 November, released today, note that it is highly likely Omicron could escape immunity to some extent, but that it was unclear by how much.
The government scientists warned:
Even if there continues to be good protection against severe disease for individuals from vaccination (including boosters), any significant reduction in protection against infection could still result in a very large wave of infections.
This would in turn lead to potentially high numbers of hospitalisations even with protection against severe disease being less affected.
The size of this wave remains highly uncertain but may be of a scale that requires very stringent response measures to avoid unsustainable pressure on the NHS.
If vaccine efficacy is substantially reduced, then a wave of severe disease should be expected.
They added:
It is important to be prepared for a potentially very significant wave of infections with associated hospitalisations now, ahead of data being available.
Meanwhile, scientists at a meeting of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) subgroup on 25 November said it is capable of causing a new wave of coronavirus infections of a “magnitude similar, or even larger, than previous waves.”
In a note of the meeting, released by Sage today, scientists conclude: “We cannot exclude that this wave would be of a magnitude similar, or even larger, than previous waves.”
It adds: “Although data on disease severity associated with B.1.1.529 are not yet available, a large wave of infections will be accompanied by a wave of severe cases and the subgroup cannot rule out that this may be sufficient to overwhelm NHS capacity.”
Scientists said it is highly likely that omicron is a “fit” virus that is undergoing extensive community transmission in South Africa and potentially in other places. But they said there is insufficient data o make comments on the severity of disease brought by the variant.
Updated
First case of Omicron confirmed in Wales
The first case of the Omicron variant has been detected in Wales, in the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board area, the Welsh government has announced.
The case is linked to international travel, according to officials. The government said it was “prepared to respond rapidly to emerging variants of concern and intensive investigations and robust public health action are being taken to slow any spread”.
Meanwhile, the public in Wales have been urged to follow steps “which keep us safe”, with the government calling for people to take up the offer of a vaccine.
Updated
Network Rail says that four out of five passengers at major railway stations are complying with the new rules on face masks.
The government-owned company made the estimation based on anecdotal evidence from station staff.
From Tuesday, people across the UK are now required by law to wear face masks on public transports and in shops unless they have an exemption.
Under the rules, Police and Transport for London (TfL) have enforcement powers to issue fines of £200 for first-time offenders and double for repeat offenders up to a maximum of £6,400.
TfL said that 152 people in London were ordered to pay the £200 fine on Tuesday and an additional 125 were asked to leave their services. 127 were stopped from getting on a service or entering a station.
Schools leaders are exasperated with “unhelpful” recommendations from government that in-person nativity plays and concerts go ahead as more are forced to cancel due to rising coronavirus cases, reports Rachel Hall.
In England, Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said government advice had handed school leaders “a poisoned chalice”. “Many will feel uncomfortable about going ahead, potentially putting them at loggerheads with parents as they try to manage their expectations.”
The NHS England letter also said that under the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), boosters should be expanded to include all 18-39-year-olds and can be given three months after the second dose.
It added:
We recognise the pressure all local services are under, however as the secretary of state for health and social care has said, the ‘new national mission’ is to increase vaccine capacity. There are no supply challenges with either the Moderna or Pfizer booster stocks, therefore all vaccination sites are now asked to load their NBS calendars to the end of January, where possible.
Updated
NHS England says acceleration of booster jab rollout will begin 'no later than 13 December'
NHS England has said that the acceleration of booster jabs will begin “no later than 13 December”.
In a letter to health leaders, NHS England said that the booking service for booster jabs will be updated to reflect the cut in time between the second dose and booster to three months and that it will go live “as soon as possible”.
The letter said:
The National Booking Service (NBS) is now being updated to reflect the three-month (91 days) interval from second dose to booster. Our intention is to go live as soon as possible and no later than 13 December. As these changes are being made, existing booking arrangements will remain in place: individuals in cohorts 1-10 can book their booster from five months (152 days) post second dose, for slots from six months (182 days) after their second dose.
Updated
Two people at Oxford University suspected to have Omicron
Two people at Oxford University are suspected to have the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
The university said the two people are now isolating “in line with government guidance” and that their close contacts have been told and are isolating.
A university spokesperson said:
We can confirm that two members of Oxford university have tested positive for Covid-19, and the Omicron variant is suspected.
The individuals are now isolating in line with government guidance and their close contacts have been notified and are also isolating.
The university is working closely with the public health authorities and following their advice.
The university has already implemented a number of changes to its health guidance in response to the Omicron variant, based on advice from its clinical academics.
There are no further changes to the university’s health guidance at this stage, or any additional actions that students or staff need to take. We are continuing to encourage the whole community to follow all university and government health advice to reduce the risks of Covid-19.
Updated
Sturgeon says Scottish Omicron cases will rise as Steps concert identified as a source of new variant
Nicola Sturgeon has said that the number of Omicron cases in Scotland is rising and that a Steps concert in Glasgow has been identified as one of the sources.
It comes as 16 new cases of the new variant have been recorded in Scotland in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 29.
The first minister said Omicron cases are no longer tied to one event and that she expects cases of the new variant to continue to rise, “perhaps significantly”, in the coming days.
She said:
The number of Omicron cases now being reported in Scotland is rising, and cases are no longer all linked to a single event, but to several different sources including a Steps concert at the Hydro on 22 November.
This confirms our view that there is now community transmission of this variant within Scotland. Given the nature of transmission we would expect to see cases rise, perhaps significantly, in the days ahead.
However, health protection teams are continuing work through contact tracing, isolation and testing to slow the spread as far as possible while we learn more about the new variant’s impact. Ministers are also keeping the situation under daily review.
Six cases are understood to be linked to the Steps concert, reports PA Media. Those who may have been exposed are being contacted.
Updated
Scotland records 2,432 new Covid cases and 16 deaths as positivity rate rises
Scotland has recorded 16 additional Covid deaths and 2,432 new cases in the last 24 hours.
The daily test positivity rate was 7.6%, according to data published by the Scottish Government, marking a rise on 7.4% yesterday.
As of Wednesday night, there were 652 people in hospital with recently confirmed Covid cases – 46 of which were in intensive care.
Updated
Randox, the Covid testing company at the centre of a government sleaze row, has commented on changing its terms and conditions to avoid breaching competition laws (see also 12:31).
A spokesperson said: “Randox has been happy to engage fully with the CMA [the Competition and Markets Authority] from the outset to ensure the interests of its customers while the company delivers millions of Covid-19 PCR tests to facilitate vital international travel against the changing requirements of governments.
“As the industry leader, Randox has been in the ideal position to both review the services required to support the international traveller and provide a consumer-industry standard of terms and conditions. These have, of necessity, evolved over time.
“In working with the CMA, Randox’s aim has been to ensure absolute fairness whilst building and providing critical services in a highly volatile and demanding environment.”
In Wales, about one in 45 people is estimated to have had coronavirus in the week to 27 November; up from one in 50 the previous week, with the ONS describing the trend as “uncertain”.
Infection levels in Wales hit one in 40 people in late October, the highest since estimates began in summer 2020.
In Northern Ireland, the latest estimate is also one in 45 people, up from one in 50 the previous week and slightly below the record high of one in 40 in mid-August.
For Scotland, the latest estimate is one in 65, up from one in 70 the previous week and below September’s peak of one in 45.
All figures are for people in private households and do not include hospitals, care homes and other settings.
Updated
Covid infections have increased in all four UK nations and remain close to the worst levels on record; though the latest rise is not linked to the arrival of the Omicron variant, new analysis suggests.
About one in 60 people in private households in England had Covid in the week to 27 November; up from one in 65 the previous week, according to estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). One in 60 is the equivalent of about 898,900 people.
The proportion of people in England who were estimated to have coronavirus at the peak of the second wave in early January was one in 50. This led to a surge in hospital admissions and deaths, along with a nationwide lockdown.
But the current wave of infections has so far not resulted in similar numbers of people becoming seriously ill, thanks to the rolout of vaccinations.
The ONS said they had not yet identified any infections “compatible with the new Omicron variant”, but will continue to monitor their findings and will report estimates if Omicron becomes “more prevalent among the population”.
Updated
Referring to the Omicron variant, Rosemary Boyton, a professor of immunology and respiratory medicine at Imperial College London said:
The existing vaccines do appear to protect from hospitalisation and death, which is important. And there’s no reason for us to think that that’s not going to be the case. So this is speculation for any subsequent variants.
What our paper is showing is that you do have to think about it and it’s a more complex situation.
So you can’t just think, I’m going to slot in this new sequence from a new variant, and that’s going to solve all the problems, because that’s probably not going to be the case.
What we’ve got to look for is a vaccine strategy that has a very broad repertoire.
Boyton told a press briefing it is difficult to make direct comparisons with the data emerging from South Africa, as it has a very different population with a history of infection from different variants, and the vaccination rates are not comparable.
We’re absolutely saying that if you’ve been, if you have a different immunological history, in terms of the types of spikes you’ve encountered, then you will have a different repertoire of immune response. And so it does make it extremely difficult to make those broad comparisons.
Updated
The wave or variant that caused an individual’s Covid infection shapes their response to subsequent infections, according to a new study.
This is something called immune imprinting, and researchers found that people imprinted by the Alpha variant make different responses to the Delta variant. The scientists also found that imprinting differences were associated with different levels of waning immunity.
In those vaccinated, but not previously infected, antibody protection against Delta waned to zero by week 21 after a second dose, according to the study published in the Science journal. But memory B cells, which also make up part of the immune system, persist, and boosters can help rescue antibody levels.
Researchers say their findings may have implications for the development of future Covid-19 vaccines. Danny Altmann, professor of immunology at Imperial College London, said:
I think that what we’re saying is the simple answer of saying ‘let’s have a new tweak vaccine every six or nine months’ may not be the best way to go.
We’re not criticising any of the vaccine approaches, or any of the attempts to tweak them to the new variants. But I think what we are trying to say loud and clear, and try to be helpful, is that Alpha and Beta and Gamma and Delta and Omicron have come at us thick and fast.
And, sure, you could jump to tweak the vaccines for different parts of the world at regular intervals. But the take-home message is: it’s not as if you start with a blank sheet. Each time you start with a pre-existing repertoire.
That’s what the immune imprinting concept is all about. So we’d love to slow down and do the homework properly and try and find out which version of this is going to give you the best future-approved answer.
No 10 refuses to give details of any planned Downing St Christmas parties, claiming they would be 'private events'
Number 10 refuses to give details of any planned Downing Street Christmas parties, claiming they would be “private events” and would not be announced publicly.
PA Media reports that when asked if there was going to be a Number 10 Christmas party, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said:
The prime minister ... has said that there will continue to be festive events in the run-up to Christmas.
You’ll have seen earlier this week the prime minister do the switching on of the No 10 Christmas tree lights, as well as another event the day before, that’ll continue in the run-up to Christmas.
Asked whether this meant there would be a Number 10 staff Christmas party, he said:
We would obviously inform you of any events closer to the time. I don’t have any details of any of those sort of events now, but as I say there’ll continue to be festive events in the run-up to Christmas.
Asked whether he would inform reporters if there were any plans for a Number 10 Christmas party for staff, he said:
Obviously, events that happen in No 10 that are private events, we wouldn’t inform you.
He added:
We obviously wouldn’t set out details of private functions in No 10, but as I say there will be festive events in the run-up to Christmas.
'No plans' to make vaccines compulsory, says Downing Street
The government has “no plans” to make vaccines compulsory, Downing Street has said.
Asked if vaccinations could be made mandatory, the prime minister’s spokesperson told reporters:
We’ve set out our policy on this and we’ve said it’s not something that we would look to introduce.
You’re aware of the changes we made in terms of social care settings and for NHS workers, given the importance of protecting the most vulnerable in our society. But there’s no plans above and beyond that in that regard.
In response to a question about whether separate lockdown measures for the unvaccinated could be implemented in the future, the spokesperson said:
I think you can look back at the restrictions we’ve had previously and the fact that we’ve never introduced something along those lines.
Our priority is to continue to promote vaccinations and promote boosters now that we are rolling out more and more boosters to more and more people. That is our priority, that’s our focus, and that’s what we’re asking people to come forward and take.
1 in 6 UK adults believe life will never return to 'normal', says ONS
Around one in six adults in Britain believe that life will never return to what it was pre-pandemic, according to a new survey by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
The results mark the highest proportion to share this view since the start of the pandemic.
The ONS opinions and lifestyle survey, conducted between 18 and 28 November, found that 16% of adults believed that life will never return to normal. This compares to 11% between 20 and 31 October.
Updated
Randox, the Covid-19 testing firm at the centre of a government sleaze row, has improved its terms and conditions in a bid to avoid breaching competition laws.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the company has made changes to provide customers with clearer information, particularly relating to when it will provide PCR tests and results.
Owen Paterson resigned as a Conservative MP last month after being found to have repeatedly lobbied the government on behalf of Randox and another company while working as a paid consultant for them.
The government awarded Randox nearly £600m of Covid testing contracts.
Updated
1 in 60 people in England have Covid and 1 in 45 in Northern Ireland and Wales as cases rise across UK
Covid infections continued to rise across the UK last week, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
One in 60 people in England have Covid, 1 in 45 in Northern Ireland and Wales and 1 in 65 in Scotland.
The ONS said it marked an increase in infections in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, while in Wales the trend was “uncertain”.
In England, infections increased in the North East, Yorkshire and The Humber and London in the week ending 27 November, while cases decreased in the West Midlands.
In England cases increased in children aged two to the school year six and among those aged 35 to 49. There was a decrease among people aged 70 and above.
It comes after the UK yesterday recorded its highest number of cases since July.
Latest #COVID19 data shows infections increased in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland in the most recent week.
— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) December 3, 2021
In Wales, the trend was uncertain https://t.co/6oAwPPP5Zy pic.twitter.com/bY4p6Nl6BF
In England, #COVID19 infections increased in the North East, Yorkshire and The Humber and London and decreased in the West Midlands in the week ending 27 November 2021.
— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) December 3, 2021
The trend was uncertain in all other regions https://t.co/6oAwPPP5Zy pic.twitter.com/6ZzsW9rqDn
In England, #COVID19 infections increased in those aged 2 years to school Year 6 and those aged 35 to 49 years.
— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) December 3, 2021
There was a decrease in infections in those aged 70 years and over.
The trend was uncertain in all other age groups https://t.co/6oAwPPP5Zy pic.twitter.com/GfRKrv2KnE
Updated
Advertising boss Martin Sorrell has criticised the government’s messaging on Covid which he said has been “slipshod” and “chaotic”.
The executive chairman of S4 Capital told Sky News that “messaging we’ve been getting from the government to date has been very mixed” amid a period of “great uncertainty”.
It comes after the prime minister said people should not be cancelling Christmas parties, despite rising Covid infections and the emergence of new variant Omicron.
He said there have been “significant cancellations” of events. At his own firm he said they are encouraging employees to wear masks and taking a “flexible attitude” to working from home. He said they will be holding Christmas events but at on a smaller scale.
Updated
Labour’s new shadow health secretary, Wes Streeting, has accused the government of failing to provide a “serious plan” for winter.
He told MPs:
Ministers cannot possibly believe that what we have been given today is a credible plan to meet these enormous challenges. If this were genuinely a plan about preparing for the winter, why does it arrive on December 3?
A serious plan to bring down waiting lists would have the workforce at its heart, a serious plan to bring down waiting lists would have clear targets and deadlines, and a serious plan to bring down waiting lists would recognise that unless we focus on prevention, early intervention and fixing the social care crisis, ministers have no chance of bringing waiting lists down to the record low levels we saw under the last Labour government.
He added:
Without a serious strategy to build the health and social care workforce that we need, this plan really isn’t a plan at all.
This winter will be 'critical' for the NHS, says health minister
The health minister, Edward Argar, has said this winter will be “critical” for the NHS amid Covid and Omicron.
Addressing the Commons, he claimed the government is doing everything in its power to keep the NHS “standing strong this winter” by trying to recruit more staff, providing greater support and to increase capacity.
He told MPs this winter will be “critical for our NHS” as “we face the challenge of fighting Covid-19 and a new Omicron variant, along with other challenges like flu that winter can bring”.
He said the government is doing “everything in our power to give our NHS what it needs and keep it standing strong this winter, including our plans to recruit more staff, give greater support to the NHS and bolster capacity across urgent and emergency care”.
He said:
We are doing everything we can to strengthen our vital defences. One of our main defences is, of course, our vaccination programmes and we are expanding our booster programme, which hit the milestone of 19 million doses yesterday, along with delivering the largest flu vaccination programme in UK history.
Yesterday, we announced how we will buying a total of 114 million additional Pfizer and Moderna doses for 2022 and 2023, which will future-proof our great British vaccination efforts and make sure we can protect even more people in the years ahead.
He added:
We are determined to maximise the capacity of the NHS to keep elective services going over the winter months, so that people can keep getting routine treatments like hip surgery and diagnostic tests.
Today, I am pleased to update the house on a 700 million fund that we announced in September for elective recovery.
Updated
Cressida Dick says Met did not receive any complaints about alleged Downing Street Christmas party
The Metropolitan police has said that it did not receive any complaints related to an alleged Downing Street Christmas party last year.
It comes after Angela Rayner, the Labour deputy leader, asked cabinet secretary Simon Case if he is planning to call in police over allegations that parties were held despite Covid restrictions.
Metropolitan police commissioner Cressida Dick said today that she is not aware of any complaints.
She told a caller on LBC radio: “You asked if we are investigating - the answer to that is no. And, as far as I’m aware, we have had no complaints and therefore I really can’t comment on what did or didn’t happen there.”
Asked what would happen if she received a letter, she said: “If I get a letter, I’ll read a letter.”
She added: “This is the Met. We are professional. We are impartial. We act without fear or favour. We follow evidence. That’s what we do.”
It comes after the Daily Mirror reported earlier this week that the prime minister Boris Johnson gave a speech at a packed leaving party when the country was in lockdown last year and that members of his team held another party days before Christmas.
1 in 4 care home residents reportedly yet to receive booster shot
One in four care home residents are reportedly yet to receive a booster shot, despite government promises that they would be offered one by the start of November.
Citing figures from NHS England, the Telegraph reports that only 72% of care home residents have so far received a booster dose.
At a press conference on 15 November, Boris Johnson said that 80% of eligible people in care homes had received a booster, but charities claimed the new data raises questions over the prime minister’s claim.
Gavin Terry, head of policy at Alzheimer’s Society, said the figures were “providing further cause for concern”, telling the newspaper:
Given the Prime Minister announced on November 15 that 80 per cent of eligible older people in care homes had received a booster, it’s clear that last month’s data did not provide an accurate picture of what was really happening.
The promise to offer jabs to all people living in care homes by November 1 is also now long overdue. We’re left wondering whether the vaccination drive in care homes has ground to a halt to make way for lower risk groups before the Government has met its promise to the most vulnerable.
NHS England told the Telegraph that GPs and care home mangers were working together closely to vaccinate residents but that some may have been postponed by norovirus outbreaks and that some may have died since having their earlier vaccines.
Updated
Face mask use is far from universal in British shops and on public transport, according to a new survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Just 19% of adults reported seeing that everyone or almost everyone was wearing a face mask while shopping in the final week of November and the equivalent figure for public transport was just 21%.
However, 71% said that they either always or often wore a face mask while shopping and 70% said they always wore it on public transport.
71% of adults said they always or often wore a face covering when shopping, and 70% wore it for the whole time on public transport 😷
— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) December 3, 2021
However, 19% said that everyone or almost everyone wore a face covering when shopping and 21% on public transport https://t.co/Tz1eS8dmJs pic.twitter.com/WFJNojltNJ
UK holiday park company Away Resorts says Omicron has led to a surge in Christmas bookings amid renewed travel restrictions.
Chief executive Carl Castledine told Sky News that Christmas bookings are up by 55% and that they are seeing “absolutely sensational levels of consumer desire to get away this Christmas”.
He said record bookings are being driven by families who are looking for a break, experiencing pandemic fatigue and looking for a chance to celebrate together.
Updated
Meanwhile, government departments were reportedly cancelling Christmas parties yesterday, ignoring calls by the prime minister to go ahead with them.
The Times reports “Omi-shambles in Whitehall” as multiple government departments call off festive celebrations.
The education department has already suspended plans for its annual talent show, reports the newspaper, and the business department has decided against putting on a staff Christmas party.
It comes despite calls from senior government figures - including Boris Johnson (see also 9:33), Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid (who has said the health department will not have a big party, but that he will take some staff out for dinner) - for big Christmas celebrations to go ahead, despite the threat posed by Omicron.
Dowden says he will not cancel Conservative Christmas party
Oliver Dowden has said he doesn’t plan to cancel the Conservatives’ Christmas party which he said is still planned to take place.
He told BBC Breakfast: “I think it is still planned, and I don’t intend to cancel it as chairman of the Conservative party.”
The British Medical Association (BMA) has said that people should be encouraged to “avoid large groups” and, where possible, meet outdoors during the festive period.
It comes after Boris Johnson has come under pressure in recent days to explain reports of two No 10 parties during lockdown last winter, one of which was allegedly attended by the prime minister.
Updated
It comes after an influential scientist last night warned that he wouldn’t feel safe going to a Christmas party this year. Prof Peter Openshaw, a member of the Government’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), said the “chances of getting infected were too high” to have a party.
He told the BBC’s Question Time:
We have not been planning to have a Christmas party. Because with things as they are, regardless of Omicron, we thought that the chances of getting infected were too high.
Asked about the prime minister’s comments on Christmas plans, he said:
Personally, I wouldn’t feel safe going to a party at the moment, if it involves being indoors in an enclosed space where you’re close to other people, and people are not wearing masks. Even if they’ve been tested and vaccinated, I wouldn’t feel safe.
Britons told to 'keep calm and carry on with your Christmas plans' - despite soaring Covid cases and Omicron
Britons were today urged to “keep calm and carry on with your Christmas plans” - despite the UK recording its highest cases since July.
Oliver Dowden, the Conservative party chair, said people should keep going to pubs and restaurants as he claimed the government has so far taken “sufficient” action against the new Omicron variant.
“The message to people is fairly straightforward, which is keep calm, carry on with your Christmas plans,” he told Sky News this morning. “We’ve put the necessary restrictions in place, but beyond that, keep calm and carry on.”
The UK has so far recorded 42 Omicron cases and yesterday reported its highest daily cases since July with 53,945 cases and an additional 141 deaths.
Dowden’s words echo those of the prime minister yesterday who said in an interview that people should not be cancelling Christmas parties. “The most important thing is that people should follow the guidance we’ve set out,” he said in a pooled broadcast interview. “People shouldn’t be cancelling things. There’s no need for that at all. It’s not what we are saying.”
So far the government has responded to the new variant by reintroducing face mask requirements and tightening self-isolation rules and restrictions on travel.
Responding to criticism from the hospitality industry over the government’s mixed messages, Dowden insisted the government is not discouraging people from going out.
“We have not changed the advice around people taking part in hospitality - so going to the pub, going to restaurants and so on,” he said.
“And actually I think most pubs and restaurants up until very recently have been doing very well during this season and we’re not discouraging people to do so.”
While he said he was “confident” that this Christmas would be better than last, he urged people to get a Covid booster when they are eligible.
He said:
All of our advice is based on scientific evidence and indeed the chief medical officer [Professor Chris Whitty] and chief scientific adviser [Sir Patrick Vallance] attend cabinet and were at cabinet when we discussed this earlier this week.
Hi, I’ll be looking after the blog today covering UK covid news. Please get in touch with any tips or suggestions: miranda.bryant@guardian.co.uk
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