Newspaper headlines: 'Cut back festive mixing' amid new UK cases record

Most of the papers reflect on the words of Prime Minister Boris Johnson and England's chief medical officer, Prof Chris Whitty, to think carefully about socialising in the coming weeks as coronavirus cases rise.

The Daily Mirror's headline is "Wary Christmas". The Sun says people are being urged to "cut down on drinking with pals and colleagues" if they want to see their family over the festive period.

The Financial Times says the warning has intensified business leaders' fears that the government is presiding over "lockdown by stealth".

The Daily Mail says while Prof Whitty gave a sober assessment of the Omicron variant at the Downing Street briefing, the prime minister "struck a markedly more upbeat tone". The paper says Mr Johnson focused on record booster jab figures, and insisted there was no need to close hospitality.

The i says hospitals may have to share doctors and nurses between departments and trusts if the surge in Omicron cases leaves a large number of healthcare workers on sick leave or isolating at the same time.

Staffing across the NHS and other key public services is being monitored and, according to the paper, any shortages would be filled by the military under "well-rehearsed government plans".

The Guardian reports that Covid cases have risen sharply at universities as about a million students prepare to head home for the festive season - prompting fears this could fuel the spread of the virus.

The paper says some universities have moved learning online before the end of term, and students are being urged to take tests before they travel to see their families.

Many of the papers also note that some of the Queen's Christmas plans are still up in the air. The Daily Express says she is due to welcome up to 40 relatives at Windsor next week, but she's weighing up the risks of the "family get-together".

The Daily Telegraph reports the Queen is reluctant to cancel but will wait as long as possible before deciding whether to go ahead with the event.

The process for passengers on delayed trains to get refunds will soon be simplified, reports the Times. Under new rules from April, people who booked their tickets via the rail operator's app will get a notification urging them to claim compensation.

Figures show 37% of those eligible for a refund in the year 2019/2020 because of delayed or cancelled services actually made a claim.

Some of the front pages feature photographs of Sir Lewis Hamilton receiving his knighthood from Prince Charles yesterday. "Knight rider" is the headline in the Daily Express.

The Metro says "here's one title they can't take away" - a reference to the controversial end of the Formula 1 season last weekend when Hamilton was denied an eighth world championship.

Meanwhile, a school's Christmas lunch offering has been likened to a trial from the television programme "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!", says the Guardian.

The Daily Telegraph says one parent thought it was "disgraceful" she paid £3.50 for "a roll, one bit of turkey, a small bit of sausage and a bit of stuffing".

Steyning Grammar School in West Sussex has apologised and offered a full refund; it said the planned lunch had been affected by unforeseen supply chain issues, and Covid-related staffing shortages.

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