British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has rejected a health chief’s call for people not to socialise if they do not need to in the run-up to Christmas. In response to the potential threat posed by the Omicron COVID-19 variant, the UK government has re-imposed rules requiring face coverings in shops and public transport but did not extend any restrictions to the hospitality sector. Earlier on Tuesday, Dr. Jenny Harries, head of the UK’s Health Security Agency, said people could do their bit to slow the spread of the new Omicron COVID-19 variant by reducing the number of social contacts they have. “If we all decrease our social contacts a little bit, actually that helps to keep the variant at bay,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Harries’ remarks sparked protests from leaders of the hospitality sector, who warned that such messaging will have a “damaging effect on businesses.” Kate …