We are well and truly in the festive period with just a couple of days until Christmas but for all of us our celebrations will look a little different again this year as we come to terms with the Omicron COVID-19.

We have seen in other parts of the world this variant has not contributed to a significant amount of hospitalisations but it is more transmissable. We also know we shouldn’t be any less cautious as people who are still unvaccinated or who have underlying conditions are still being impacted by this variant and we have sadly seen people lose their lives.

That’s why it’s more important than ever to take regular lateral flow tests and if you develop any symptoms schedule a PCR test. There are still a number of Glaswegians who are able to be but are not vaccinated.

If you are one of those people, I cannot urge you enough to schedule time to get vaccinated, whether that’s your first, second or booster dose. For many facilities across the city you will have to make an appointment so it is best to check but one of our newest vaccination centres, based at Hampden Park is accepting walk-ins today until 9pm. We will only get through this pandemic by working together that includes testing so we can trace the virus’ spread and getting vaccinated.

Many of us will have chosen to scale back Christmas celebrations this year, been extra careful in where we have travelled in the weeks leading up to the day or included negative tests as a prerequisite on any invite to family or friends who may be visiting in the hope that all of us making that effort will help stop the spread of this virus and allow us to get back on track to recovery as soon as possible.

At the heart of it Christmas is a time for us to give thanks, a time to look back but also to look forward. I want to thank all of those community groups, third sector organisations, our keyworkers and businesses who have continued to go above and beyond this year, adapting often at short notice and supporting those most in need across our city. I know like in my own ward, that work doesn’t take a break over this period and they will ensuring people don’t feel alone this Christmas, that they have someone to turn to, a meal to have on Saturday and often a present to open. They are the ones who make Glasgow and as we prepare for another set of restrictions to get us through this next challenge, it is them I am thinking of and thanking.