Christmas shopping is still underway in Watford – although High Street felt quieter than what it would normally be around the festive season.

We visited the town centre on Wednesday, December 22, to see how busy it was on the run up to Christmas amid the recent rise in Covid cases and spread of the Omicron variant.

Latest figures show the area has an infection rate of 1152.9 cases per 100,000 population, which is similar to how it looked at the start of the third lockdown.

As a result, businesses in Watford have been seeing less people in High Street and faced more cancellations.

Read more - Businesses facing last minute cancellations and wasted food amid Omicron spread

And when we went to the town centre, we found people were still out and about and whilst it felt a bit busier around lunchtime, it did quieten down as the afternoon went on.

Overall, it felt quieter than what you would expect around Christmas time.

Watford Observer:

Watford Observer:

One person called Lucy felt “it probably would have been busier if it wasn’t for the new variant”.

Asked if she was keen to do her Christmas shopping, she said: “Not really, but you have to do it somehow don’t you with there only being a few days left before Christmas.

“There’ still loads of people in Watford and it’s very easily catchable this new variant, so it’s a bit worrying.”

Watford Observer:

However, other people were not as worried about the new Omicron variant when doing their shopping.

One person named Aldo said: “I am double jabbed so there is not a lot more we can do.

“It’s not affected my Christmas shopping, I needed to visit the shops today and everything is fine.”

A woman named Keiko added that she “wasn’t worried about it too much”.

Watford Observer:

She said: “I am being cautious, but its hasn’t affected my Christmas shopping and I have been fine doing it.”

Whilst Boris Johnson has reassured people that no further restrictions will be introduced before December 25, he said: “We continue to monitor Omicron very closely and if the situation deteriorates we will be ready to take action if needed.

Watford Observer: Prime Minister Boris Johnson (photo PA)Prime Minister Boris Johnson (photo PA)

“What this means is that people can go ahead with their Christmas plans but the situation remains finely balanced and I would urge everyone to exercise caution, to keep protecting yourselves and your loved ones, especially the vulnerable.

“And remember to keep following the guidance – wear a mask indoors when required to do so, keep fresh air circulating, and take a test before you visit elderly or vulnerable relatives.”