Cabinet minister Grant Shapps today urged schools to let Christmas events happen as Number 10 insisted that they 'can go ahead', despite a string of cancellations in recent days amid coronavirus fears.
The Transport Secretary was asked this morning about whether events such as nativity plays should be allowed to continue despite the threat posed by Covid-19.
There are fresh fears about the virus following the emergence of the Nu mutation from southern Africa. It has been described as the 'worst ever' variant of the disease.
Some headteachers have this week banned parents from attending events or have cancelled fayres and nativity plays entirely due to rising Covid cases.
A school in Plymouth said on Twitter that they had 'sadly' decided to cancel their Christmas fayre, whilst others in Essex in Dorset did the same with their nativity plays, or allowed them to go ahead whilst banning parents from attending.
However, Mr Shapps insisted to LBC that nativity plays should 'play on' because the country did not go through 'two, now three rounds of vaccination' to have to 'live out last Christmas again'.
His comment was a reference to how families were separated last year and unable to spend Christmas together, whilst many schools were closed and events cancelled in the weeks prior due to infections among pupils.
Mr Shapps's comments were echoed by the Prime Minister's spokesman, who said that whilst cancellations were 'a matter for individual schools', Government guidance states that schools 'can continue to hold events' with parents present.
A blog post released on the Department for Education's website on Friday also insisted that plays could go ahead, saying that they are 'one of our most cherished traditions'.
Cabinet minister Grant Shapps today urged schools to let Christmas events happen as Number 10 insisted that they 'can go ahead', despite a string of cancellations in recent days amid coronavirus fears
Mr Shapps told LBC this morning: 'We did not go through two, now three rounds of vaccination and everything else to have to live out last Christmas again when we weren't able to get together as we should have done, in the numbers we should have done, with our friends and families.
'So of course steps will be taken no doubt to make them as safe as possible, ventilation and the rest of it. Yes people should be able to get together.'
The PM's spokesman later added: 'It is a matter for individual schools to decide if they want to host nativity plays this year.
'We have set out our guidance to schools that states they can continue to hold events where visitors such as parents are on site, which includes things like school plays.
'Our guidance is clear there is no limit on group size for these events either indoor or outdoor. But ultimately it is a matter for individual schools.'
The blog on the Department for Education's website said: 'Christmas and nativity plays are one of our most cherished school traditions.
One school, Lipson Co-operative Academy in Plymouth, said they were cancelling their 'Christmas Fayre'
'Sadly last year many had to be cancelled but this year, as we are at a different stage of the pandemic and so many people are benefitting from the protections the vaccines offer, we hope many more will be able to go ahead.'
They added: 'Nativities, plays, concerts and other festive events can go ahead but it is a matter for schools and early years to decide if they want to host them.
'Our guidance has not changed and says schools, nurseries and other settings can continue to hold events where visitors such as parents are on-site.
However, the post said that schools should take precautions to try to lessen the threat of the virus, including by improving 'fresh air flow'.
Children and parents have this week faced disappointment over the decision of some headteachers to cancel Christmas events.
One school, Lipson Co-operative Academy in Plymouth, said on Friday they were cancelling their 'Christmas Fayre'.
A post on Twitter read: 'With the rise in #COVID19 cases in school and our community, we've decided sadly to cancel our Christmas Fayre, set for
