Party plans disrupted as experts predict that Omicron will soon be the dominant strain in Wales
PEOPLE in Cardiff are being discouraged from attending Christmas parties as pressure increases in hospitals in light of the Omicron Covid variant.
Advice urging people to cancel their Christmas party plans comes as scientists advising the government warned that tougher restrictions may need to be implemented to prevent the variant causing an increase in deaths caused by Covid.
A statement from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: “We need to take urgent steps to protect ourselves, our colleagues, and our patients.
“We strongly discourage attending Christmas parties. Please continue to stay safe and follow national guidance.”
Many workplaces have already cancelled or adapted their Christmas celebrations following the new advice.
Sara Davies, 21, said: “Due to increased covid rates in the community and how transmissible the new Covid variant is, my work Christmas party will not be going ahead in person as planned but will be virtual instead.”
Others will continue with their Christmas party plans despite the emergence of the new variant.
Amy King, 21, from Cathays, said: “I trust the restrictions that have been in place and my small team of colleagues who I will be spending time with during our Christmas celebrations, so I will still be joining them for our Christmas party if it goes ahead.
“Personally, I think it would be sensible if people kept their Christmas parties intimate and controlled in private parties and locations. I do feel as though the population all having their booster jabs by the beginning of the new year is a step in the right direction.”
Some people have already attended Christmas parties before the statement discouraging attendance by health officials.
One partygoer, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Cardiffian: “For as long as it is only a discouragement I would feel encouraged to attend.
“Before mine, all those who were attending performed lateral flows to make sure we could be as ‘Covid-free’ as possible. Everyone in attendance was encouraged to have been vaccinated, although there are always outliers to that.
“With social distancing no longer encouraged, and pubs and clubs still remaining open, I believe there would be a far higher risk of catching it than there would be from a closed invitation party.”
The Welsh Government will review its coronavirus guidance on a weekly basis over the winter in response to the threat posed by the Omicron variant. This is instead of the three-week cycle that was previously in place.
First Minister Mark Drakeford is urging people to have their COVID-19 booster vaccine as he warned that Wales is facing a new wave of infection caused by the Omicron Variant.
Over one million people in Wales have received their booster vaccine this far. The Welsh Government plans to offer a third dose to everyone over the age of 18 by the end of January.
The First Minister is also asking that people take regular lateral flow tests before leaving their homes and wear face coverings in all public places to protect people before the Christmas period.
He said: “We are speeding up the roll out of boosters in response to the new variant.
“Every single vaccination is a small victory against the virus, so please make getting your vaccine or booster a priority.
“This will be the best Christmas present you can give yourself and your family this year.”
Minister for Health and Social Services Eluned Morgan said: “The emergence of the Omicron variant is a sombre reminder that the pandemic is not yet over. There is concern that the Omicron variant may be spread much faster than other variants.
“It’s important we try to delay the spread of Omicron in Wales, and to do so, we need to rapidly identify cases.”
