Keep calm, enjoy Christmas and don’t scrap any parties

Boris sends clear message after ministers’ conflicting advice:

BOrIS Johnson insisted last night that he wanted Britons to enjoy Christmas as ‘normally as possible’ – just as Ireland was told it was going into semi-lockdown.

Following a week of mixed messaging from his ministers, the Prime Minister admitted there had been ‘quite a lot of to-ing and fro-ing’ on Christmas parties.

But he said it was ‘not right’ that people should consider cancelling seasonal events – saying that the ‘tough measures’ his Government has taken at the borders should see the country through without the need for further curbs.

It came as Ireland closed nightclubs, imposed restrictions on bars and restaurants and placed curbs on household mixing to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.

Last night it was claimed that the UK’s travel red list could be expanded this weekend with arrivals from Nigeria facing the prospect of hotel quarantine.

Ministers on the Cabinet’s Covid operations sub-committee could meet as early as tomorrow to decide whether to introduce more restrictions.

Meanwhile, in the US, President Joe Biden imposed tough Covid testing rules on international travellers. From next week, anyone entering the country must take a coronavirus test no more than one day before travel, regardless of vaccination status.

Last night Downing Street said they were monitoring the US move and had no plans at present to impose a stricter testing regime for those entering the UK. But a source said this was being kept ‘under review’.

Thousands of Christmas parties have been cancelled this week amid fears over the Omicron variant, with confusing messaging from ministers blamed by some.

But last night, the Prime Minister attempted to reassure Britons, saying: ‘On the subject of Christmas parties I notice there’s been quite a lot of to-ing and fro-ing about it; people concerned that they need to cancel their Christmas parties.

‘That’s not right. We’re not saytrying ing that. We’re not saying that nativity plays have to be cancelled. I believe very strongly that kids should be in school and I also think that Christmas should go ahead as normally as possible.’ He added: ‘What we’re to do is cope with the Omicron variant and that means having some tough measures at the borders and also some measures to ensure that people isolate after coming into contact with an Omicron case. Plus we’re toughening up on masks.’

Describing the approach as ‘balanced and proportionate’, he added that vaccines would still provide the ‘best protection’.

But Irish premier Micheal Martin said that from Tuesday, table service will return in bars, with a maximum of six people to a table and at least a metre between each one.

Multiple bookings for restaurants, bars and other hospitality settings will be banned, and all nightclubs will close.

Indoor events such as concerts and sporting fixtures will be limited to 50 per cent capacity and the government has advised that no more than four households should mix at one time. The restrictions will be in place until January 9.

Earlier, Conservative Party chairman Oliver Dowden urged Britons to ‘keep calm’ and enjoy the festive season as he said the Tories’ staff Christmas party would still be going ahead.

But Professor Peter Openshaw, one of No10’s scientific advisers, broke ranks, saying he ‘wouldn’t feel safe’ going to a party.

‘A lot of to-ing and fro-ing’