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Christmas parties in Scotland are on this year’s naughty list — thanks to the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, health officials said Thursday.
Any Scots considering sipping eggnog or hovering near mistletoe during holiday gatherings should consider other plans since a number of recent outbreaks caused by the variant were linked to holiday parties, BBC reported.
“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,” said Dr. Nick Phin, director of Public Health Scotland’s Public Health Science.
That includes putting off get-togethers to “another time,” Phin said.
“I appreciate that everyone is keen to celebrate this festive season, particularly after the pressures of the last 20 months, but by postponing some plans, we can all do our bit to protect ourselves and our loved ones,” Phin said.
Health officials in Scotland have advised people not to hold Christmas parties as the Omicron variant spreads. Getty Images
Less than an hour earlier, Scotland’s national clinical director, Jason Leitch, told a radio station that holiday revelers could congregate if they do so “carefully,” BBC reported.
“Don’t cancel your arrangements, but think about testing,” Leitch said. “Think about vaccination and think about following the guidance, so wearing a face covering, washing your hands and all those things. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your Christmas.”
Further complicating party plans, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told reporters Tuesday people shouldn’t cancel such holiday gatherings.
At least 109 cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in Scotland as of Thursday. Sixteen people have died and 3,196 cases were diagnosed in the last 24 hours, while Scotland’s total death toll stands at 9,688, government data shows.
US health officials, meanwhile, have said not to shut down holiday parties if guests are fully vaccinated. The nation’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, gave the go-ahead last month, ABC News reported.
People attend the Christmas Market in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, Scotland. Getty Images
There have been at least 109 cases of the Omicron variant detected in Scotland as of Dec. 9, 2021. Getty Images“If you get vaccinated and your family’s vaccinated, you can feel good about enjoying a typical Thanksgiving, Christmas with your family and close friends,” Fauci said while suggesting masks for crowded indoor settings.
“But when you’re with your family at home, goodness, enjoy it with your parents, your children, your grandparents,” Fauci continued. “There’s no reason not to do that.”
