TAKE A TEST BEFORE CHRISTMAS PARTIES

IT’S ONLY SENSIBLE TO BE CAUTIOUS, SAYS JAVID. RESTAURANTS AND BARS FEAR CANCELLATIONS

- David Bond and Nicholas Cecil

SAJID JAVID today encouraged millions of people to take a lateral flow test before going to Christmas parties to stop them becoming Covid-spreading events.

With new tougher measures on mask wearing in shops and on public transport introduced yesterday to slow the spread of the Omicron variant, the Health Secretary urged the public to be “sensible” during the festive season.

Mr Javid insisted people should not change Christmas plans at this stage, but said he would take a lateral flow test (LFT) before attending a large gathering.

He added: “If you are invited to a Christmas party, there’s quite a few people there, maybe you want to take an LFT test before you go. Go to the party, but just be cautious.”

Asked on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme if he would wear a mask at a party, Mr Javid said: “Maybe. It depends if I am walking around or sitting down. It depends if I’m eating. People just need to make a decision based on the guidance.”

Restaurants, bars and pubs are worried the new measures to tackle the spread of Omicron will lead to a wave of cancellations, hitting the crucial Christmas period.

In other developments: