Ministers were told not to be ‘Christmas killjoys’ last night after festive events were cancelled because of the Omicron variant.
After urging partygoers to complete a Covid exam, Sajid Javid ignited anger among hospitality managers.
They should even consider wearing masks, according to the Health Secretary.
Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey then went further, saying there ‘shouldn’t be much snogging under the mistletoe’.
Yesterday, news broke that the Christmas parties at work were being delayed and that employees had been told to go home because of fears regarding the strain.
Restaurants and hotels across the country have been able to reveal that their lost bookings had caused them to lose thousands of pounds.


Ministers including Therese Coffey (left) and Sajid Javid (right) were told not to be ‘ Christmas killjoys’ last night after festive events were cancelled because of the Omicron variant


Omicron patients must be isolated for 10 days if they come in direct contact.
Managers are now worried about an outbreak that could place multiple workers in quarantine.
Hospitality chiefs and Tory MPs believe the mixed messages – Boris Johnson has said people should ‘keep living your life’ – was having a ‘chilling effect on consumer confidence’.
Steve Baker, who spoke out against new coronavirus curbs in the Commons on Tuesday, said the public needed ‘clarity, not Christmas killjoys’.
The Tory former minister added: ‘People are sick and tired of this level of micromanagement of their lives. They want to be free and joyful, and they want to be free and joyful at Christmas – without the Christmas killjoys.’


Work and Pensions secretary Therese Coffey said there ‘shouldn’t be much snogging under the mistletoe’ this Christmas as senior ministers were accused of Christmas killjoys
World Health Organisation officials suggested yesterday that those diagnosed with Omicron so far mostly had no symptoms or only ‘very, very mild’ ones.
No one of the 32 cases confirmed in the UK was admitted to hospital. Ministers have already introduced face masks to shops and public transport, and tightened self-isolation regulations. It is planned to accelerate the booster rollout.
There are many other developments.
- UK bought an additional 114 million doses coronavirus vaccinations. These vaccines can be adjusted to guard against new viruses.
- Some routine medical exams by GPs will likely be suspended to allow them to give more booster jabs.
- A meeting of Sage’s advisory committee was leaked, revealing that some advisers wanted stricter restrictions for travel.
- Doctors said 16 of the 19 cases of Omicron in Botswana – where it was discovered – were asymptomatic;
- European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen suggested mandatory vaccination might be necessary;
- York’s council advised residents that they wear masks outdoors to combat the disease.
- Mr Johnson denied breaking coronavirus rules at a ‘boozy’ party in No 10 during lockdown last Christmas;
- Another 48,374 Covid cases were reported yesterday.
Public health chief Jenny Harries sparked a row on Tuesday by advising against ‘unnecessary socialising’ in the run-up to Christmas. Later, the Prime Minister contradicted Harries and advised people to not cancel festivities.
However, last night, it was revealed that employees working in magazines, the NHS and Age UK had also been affected by their holiday parties being cancelled. Large employers often tell employees that they can return home to work or are implementing Covid security precautions in the workplace.
Kate Nicholls, of the trade body UK Hospitality, said: ‘The messaging over the weekend had a chilling effect on consumer confidence and we are starting to see a small number of cancellations.’
Mike Cherry of the Federation of Small Businesses said: ‘As we embark in earnest on this make-or-break festive season, clarity, consistency and proactive promotion of official advice is more important than ever.’
However, Professor Andrew Hayward of Sage advised group said to Times Radio, “People should avoid Christmas parties, or at the very least wear masks.”