Queen Elizabeth II to skip Christmas trip amid omicron surge

London, Dec. 21 (BUS) – Queen Elizabeth II has decided not to spend Christmas at the royal estate of Sandringham in eastern England amid fears of a fast-spreading Omicron.

On Monday, the palace said the 95-year-old will spend her holidays at Windsor Castle, west of London, where she has stayed for most of the pandemic, the Associated Press reported.

Other members of the royal family are expected to visit over the Christmas period, while taking precautions against the spread of the virus.

Coronavirus infections are increasing in Britain – by 60% in a week – as omicron has replaced delta as the dominant alternative, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said more new restrictions may have to be introduced to slow its spread. And his health minister refused to rule out imposing new measures before Christmas.

For years, members of the British royal family have spent the holidays in Sandringham, where crowds gather to watch them attend the local church on Christmas Day.

The Queen has cut back on travel and work since spending a night in hospital in October and her doctors have asked her to rest. Since then, she has undertaken light duties including virtual audiences with diplomats and weekly talks with the Prime Minister.

It is the Queen’s first birthday since her husband Prince Philip died at the age of 73 in April at the age of 99. The royal couple spent their last Christmas together in Windsor last year.

MI