Many NHS trusts have asked staff not to host big Christmas parties over fears the new Omicron variant will make them unable to work, a health chief revealed today.
Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts in England, said lots of hospitals are asking workers 'not to mix in big groups' over the festive period.
NHS bosses are trying to limit the 'potential threat' to medics' health and the knock-on effect catching the virus will have on 'what they will be available to do'.
It comes amid conflicting advice on what Britons should do in the run up to Christmas following the emergence of the super mutant Omicron variant.
The Government has not imposed any restrictions on social mixing, with current legal curbs instead requiring people to wear masks in certain settings, as well as isolate and get tested when traveling into the UK.
But Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, yesterday said people should minimise their contacts ' a little bit' to keep the variant at bay.
The Prime Minister disagreed with the advice during a Downing Street press conference yesterday afternoon, urging people not to cancel Christmas parties or nativity plays.
And Health Secretary Sajid Javid this morning said people should 'go ahead' with Christmas parties, but it would be a 'sensible precaution' to take a Covid test before attending.
Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, told Sky News: 'We know that many NHS trusts are, for example, asking their staff not to mix in big groups in the run up to Christmas because of the potential threat to their health and what they will be available to do'
Asked whether parties and activities should be cancelled during a No10 press conference yesterday on the booster rollout, Boris Johnson said: 'We don't want people to cancel such events'. Pictured: The Prime Minister visiting a Christmas market last night
Asked on Sky News whether people should be going to Christmas parties, Ms Cordery said it was a 'tricky and challenging issue'.
