For Laura Rodger and family, the next few days will be an anxious wait.
The 44-year-old is hoping to spend Christmas with loved ones in Ireland, but her plan is contingent on staying Covid-free.
A positive PCR test for either her or her children will mean they are unable to board their flight and will be forced to spend another year away from family.
In order to reduce her exposure to the virus, Laura has cancelled nights out with her friends and a trip to the theatre.
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"I don't want to be overly concerned because we want the kids to have a happy Christmas," she said.
"There was no chance of us getting to Ireland last year but if we stay away from big crowds, we might get a negative PCR.
"You can't lock yourself in the house though."
With the number of cases of the new coronavirus variant Omicron on the rise, Laura is not the only person worried about testing positive.
As Christmas approaches, many have cancelled plans in order to avoid having to isolate during the festive period.
The next few days will be especially nerve-wracking for Laura as the area where she lives currently has the highest infection rate in Greater Manchester.
In the week up to December 16, a total of 2,473 people in Trafford tested positive - 956 more than the previous seven days.
The infection rate was 1,040.9 cases per 100,000 people - the first time any of the boroughs in the region have surpassed 1,000.
Ms Rodger is not surprised by the rise in cases but said she was 'frustrated' by people refusing to get vaccinated, which she fears could lead to the NHS becoming overwhelmed.
"They'll be taking beds from people who have had operations cancelled," she said.
"The NHS has never coped well in winter, so another layer of pressure is going to have an impact on ICU beds.
"It's serious for some people."
Last week, health officials in Trafford revealed there had been a number outbreaks in schools, businesses, as well as two care homes.
The spike in cases has not gone unnoticed by many residents, as reflected in the number of masks on display around Sale town centre on Monday afternoon.
Susan Sargeson works as a receptionist at Trafford General Hospital and says that while she is concerned by the rising infection rate, she is 'trying not to get to worked up'.
"I'm just doing what I have been doing for the last two years, keeping my mask on and my distance," said the 66-year-old, from Urmston.
"A lot of it is out of my control. All I can do is look after my own circle and do what they [the government] have been saying from day one.
"You can drive yourself mad if you watch the figures going up."
Due to the rising number of cases, Ms Sargeson has decided to cut the number of people she is spending Christmas Day.
However, she says she does not see it as a sacrifice.
"It's just what we should all be doing to keep each other safe," she said.
"It's not forever."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has today ruled out implementing new restrictions immediately but said the government was monitoring the Covid situation "hour by hour".
Ms Sargeson is sympathetic towards the PM and believes he may have to take further action to tackle the spread of Omicron.
"People are going to be screaming and shouting for businesses, but people in hospitals are screaming for a lockdown.
"He's going to be a demon if he locks down or doesn't. It would be bad for one or the other.
"I feel so sorry for the arts and the businesses struggling but it's something we are going to have to get through."
Paul Farrell, 60, put the high rate in Trafford down to the number of people refusing to comply with the government's advice.
As the UK infection rate shows no sign of falling, he believes another lockdown is inevitable.
"We need to control it because it's getting out of hand," he said.
"If that's the way we have to go about then so be it.
"It's a pandemic. It's nobody's fault."
For Ali McManus, who owns Diddibox Flowers, the phone has not stopped ringing in the lead-up to Christmas.
When the M.E.N. visited on Monday afternoon, she was preparing to host a workshop and was expecting a decent turnout.
"I was expecting a few phone calls today saying 'I'm a bit nervous. Can I get my money back?'", she said.
"Everyone is still coming, which is nice. People don't seem too bothered."
Ms McManus said she does not believe another lockdown will have much impact on her business as the last two years have been 'manic'.
"Because people weren't seeing their loved ones, they were ordering flowers for them," she explained.
"We lost all the weddings, but the bouquets more than made up for it.
"As long as we can get our flowers, we will be absolutely fine.
"We have a wedding on the 30th. If there's a lockdown before then it wouldn't go ahead, but that's the only thing I'm concerned about at the minute."
