It’s that special time of the year. Turkey and stuffing sandwiches are back on the shelves, advent calendars are being ravaged and the government is weighing up Covid vs Christmas. Last year, after some very mixed messages and backpedalling, we ended up with a sudden lockdown. But that was last year - no vaccines, let alone booster jabs. Surely things are different now?
At the moment, yes they are. Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said there is no need to call off Christmas parties despite the infamous Omicron variant, and the PM’s advice echos this. As it stands, there have only been 32 confirmed Omicron cases in the UK to date.
In terms of measures being taken, 18 million people have had their booster jab and Downing Street is urging us to keep up this momentum. Masks are once again mandatory in shops, travel testing has been tightened and anyone who comes into contact with Omicron must isolate for 10 days even if they are double-jabbed.
Christmas party advice
When choosing a venue, make sure it is well-ventilated, this could be through air circulation units within the building or simply by keeping doors and windows open. Another option is to choose an outdoor setting.
Encourage all staff to take a lateral flow test before attending the party, as this will minimise the risk of transmission and put your guests at ease. Lateral flow tests are available for free at most pharmacies or from gov.uk.
Clearly advise your staff to not attend the office or the party if they feel unwell or have any Covid-related symptoms.
Keep noise levels manageable so party-goers aren't having to shout over loud music, as shouting and singing increase the chance of spreading the virus.
With these precautions, hopefully you're feeling festive and reassured. If you still haven’t booked your venue yet, here’s our list of late availability Christmas party venues.
The above article is correct at time of publication, please adhere to any current government guidelines.