Public Health Scotland is urging Scots to put their Christmas party plans on hold this year.

The national health body made the plea on Thursday after highlighting links between social gatherings and a growing number of cases of Covid, and of the new Omicron variant in particular.

Medical director Dr Nick Phin said: “There is much that we still need to learn about Omicron, but early evidence suggests that this new Covid variant is much more transmissible. 

“The impact of this transmissibility has been seen in recent weeks, with a number of Omicron outbreaks linked to parties.”

He added: “To help minimise the further spread of Covid-19, and Omicron in particular, I would strongly urge people to defer their Christmas parties to another time.

“I appreciate that everyone is keen to celebrate this festive season, particularly after the pressures of the last twenty months, but by postponing some plans we can all do our bit to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”

Public Health Scotland has issued a reminder of measures which can be taken to “keep safe” over the festive period including getting the booster jab and taking twice weekly PCR tests.

Other measures include reducing the number of close contacts, favouring outside meets and routine sanitising, wearing face coverings, and observing social distancing.