HSBC: Bosses have not asked staff to cancel Christmas events, although expect some may wish to have virtual or split team events for business continuity. There was never a scheduled in-person event. Microsoft: One large 'virtual' party, but some smaller teams are having in person events, which was always the plan. NatWest: Employees should to take a lateral flow test before attending team parties, but attendance is a personal choice.įinancial Conduct Authority: No centralised Christmas parties – it is up to each team to decide whether they wish to organise a small gathering, and colleagues can make a personal choice on whether they want to attend. Mr Johnson's intervention on Sky News will be seen as an attempt to bring clarity to his government's position, after hospitality bosses complained muddled and confusing advice from ministers had led to a 'catastrophic' 48 hours for the industry. This sparked suspicion among Tory MPs that she was being set up as the fall guy by ministers who are too scared to admit further restrictions are likely. Last night Therese Coffey sent more mixed messages on socialising after she warned people to avoid 'snogging under the mistletoe' over the holiday period.Īnd there was more chaos on Tuesday when Dr Harries said people should limit socialising in December. Yet one of his health ministers, Gillian Keegan, urged: 'Continue with your Christmas plans, continue with your nativity plays and your Christmas parties.' The Health Secretary even suggested they should consider wearing a face mask. Sajid Javid was the first to spark anger from hospitality bosses after he urged partygoers to take a Covid test. George Freeman is the fifth minister to give different advice about festive parties with half of businesses cancelling this year costing UK hospitality 'billions'. The most important thing you can do in all circumstances is to have your booster when it becomes available.' 'They shouldn't be cancelling things, there is no need for that at all and it isn't what we're saying. 'People should follow the guidance we've set out,' he said. He also revealed that he was cancelling his own department's bash, changing it to drinks on Zoom instead amid concerns over the new Omicron variant, admitting: 'It won't be the best party in the world.'īut just hours later, the Prime Minister received his booster shot live on TV before telling Sky News there was no reason for Britons to change their plans.

Nationally, cases there soared to 11,535 today marking a 370 per cent rise in a week, and up a third on around 8,500 yesterday There is growing uncertainty about the Omicron variant, which is fuelling a meteoric rise in cases in South Africa.

Lord of chaos cape