Experts predict Covid could ruin Christmas for five more years
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Experts predict Covid could ruin Christmas for ‘five more years’

Well, that's brightened our day

Covid could ruin Christmas for the next five years, experts have warned.

The cheery predictions come as the new restrictions have been announced by the government for this year’s festive period in the face of the new virus variant, Omicron.

Experts predict Covid could ruin Christmas for five more years
Experts predict five more years of festive woe (Credit: Pexels)

Why will Covid cause chaos at Christmas for five more years?

Advisors part of SP-M-O (Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, Operational sub-group) say that the virus will continue to cause problems for the NHS.

This could continue until it reaches an ‘endemic state’.

Read more: Prince Harry compares COVID pandemic to HIV and lands blame squarely at feet of ‘corrupt greed and political failure’

In a statement, advisors said: “It will take a long time for Covid-19 to settle to its endemic state.

“The path to endemicity will be critically dependent on the rate of waning of immunity…

“… and chosen policies on vaccination and boosting.

Additionally, the experts said: “SARS-CoV-2 will continue to be a threat to health system function and require active management…

“… of which vaccination and surveillance are key, for at least the next five years.”

Experts predict Covid could ruin Christmas for five more years
Covid will have to reach endemic status before things relax (Credit: Pexels)

What are the new measures?

The comments, made at a meeting on November 24, come after the government introduced new restrictions.

In the lead up to Christmas, mask-wearing in public spaces such as shops and public transport are now mandatory.

Elsewhere, tougher travel restrictions have also been put in place.

These include quarantining.

Furthermore, to combat the spread of Omicron, the government also made the booster jab available to all adults in the UK.

Experts predict Covid could ruin Christmas for five more years
Mr Javid encouraged people to go to parties this year (Credit: Sky News)

What did Sajid Javid say about this Christmas?

Despite the bleak news, Health Secretary Sajid Javid told Brits that Christmas parties should not be cancelled this year.

This seemed to conflict with advice from Deputy Chief Medical Office, Dr Jenny Harries, who cautioned on excessive socialising.

Read more: GMB: Health Secretary ‘can’t guarantee’ there won’t be a lockdown at Christmas

However, Mr Javid said: “I think people can go about their business, whether that’s socialising or otherwise, as long as they are following the rules.”

BREAKING: Health Sec Sajid Javid says that he hopes new COVID-19 measures will be 'temporary'

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Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

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