The UK government plans to keep schools open until the Christmas holidays despite the detection of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in the country, a minister said on Wednesday. When asked whether schools will be kept open, Children’s Minister Will Quince told the Education Committee of the House of Commons, “That is certainly our plan and we want to see schools stay open.” Quince also said it was “deeply regrettable” that some schools had cancelled the traditional nativity plays, which he said were “one of the loveliest things.” He acknowledged that there may be “a higher prevalence of transmission” in some areas. “So I think, ultimately, on balance, it comes down to trusting schools and headteachers and directors of public health.” His comments came after a union official called on schools to cancel mass gatherings over Christmas amid staff shortages caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. Justin McCamphill, the …