Brits told to take a lateral flow test before going to Christmas parties with fears of winter Covid spike

BRITS have been told to take a lateral flow test before going to Christmas parties, amid fears of a winter Covid spike.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid advised people to be careful and avoid spreading the bug as the weather turns colder.

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He said: "If we all play our part, then we can give ourselves the best possible chance in this race, get through this winter, and enjoy Christmas with our loved ones."

He added: "Thanks to the vaccination programme, the link between hospitalisations and deaths has significantly weakened, but it's not broken.

"So we must all remember that this virus will be with us for the long term and remains a threat to our loved ones, and a threat to the progress that we've made in getting our nation closer to normal life."

It comes as:

• Brits were given grim government warnings that Covid cases could reach 100,000 daily
• A pair of game-changing antiviral drugs are set to join the UK's Covid-fighting arsenal
• Brits have been urged to wear face masks indoors again to stop the spread of Covid
• Daily Covid cases and deaths in the UK are "moving in the wrong direction"
• Boris Johnson today threw his weight behind The Sun's campaign to ramp up Britain's booster jabs campaign and save Christmas

Meanwhile, Cabinet minister Kwasi Kwarteng said he'd already made arrangements for a festive bash. 

Categorically ruling out another lockdown, the Business Secretary urged others to defy doomster scientists and do the same.

Coronavirus deaths rose to their highest level since March yesterday, prompting fresh fears of winter restrictions. 

Gloomy boffin Prof Danny Altmann said there's no way he's risking putting down a deposit on a Christmas party venue just yet.

But asked about his party plans, a bullish Mr Kwarteng told Times Radio: "Absolutely I think I already have. We've got some arrangements in place, and I look forward to having a Christmas party as usual."

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Mr Kwarteng, whose wife gave birth to a baby boy last Friday, is looking forward to spending his first Christmas with his newly extended family.

Many are still haunted by Boris Johnson's cast-iron guarantee last year that Christmas would be saved from lockdown, only to impose snap restrictions at the eleventh hour.

Mr Johnson has promised that this Christmas will certainly be better than last year. 

Mr Kwarteng today flatly ruled out Britain plunging back into a fully-fledged lockdown, branding the prospect "completely wrong".

Downing Street also said there are currently "no plans" to enact the Government's Plan B to bring back masks, working from home and vaccine passports. 

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