Residents have been encouraged to carry on going out to pubs and restaurants by councillors worried about the effect of the new Omicron Covid variant on Staffordshire's hospitality businesses.

Reports of Christmas party cancellations have sparked concerns for venues already hit by closures and restrictions during the past two years – and prompted Staffordshire County Council cabinet members to remind residents that despite new coronavirus control measures being brought back in recent days the country is not in lockdown.

At Wednesday's cabinet meeting senior councillors encouraged residents to support the county's hospitality businesses, but take precautions such as getting a Covid-19 test before setting out to see friends and family.

Councillor Ian Parry urged people to use common sense.

He said: "I think it's really important for the sake of our economy – particularly those hospitality-related sectors – that we don't overreact to this. We're not in lockdown.

"The Government's strategy is about vaccinations and booster vaccinations. That's the driver of the current policy, and being sensible about testing, wearing masks and avoiding large crowds.

"That does not mean that we've closed hospitality, that we've closed restaurants, that you can't meet friends for dinner or lunch or a pint in the pub or a cup of coffee in a café. I think it's important that we don't assume that we're into some form of semi-lockdown.

"This is about getting vaccinated or boosted as quickly as possible so that we can operate more safely. Crucially, if you are going out socialising, get the test first. We've got a responsibility to each other and that responsibility is about making sure that you are in a safe place before you go and mix with others.

Council leader Alan White said: "These are challenging times for businesses; that is undoubtedly the case. I defer to the hospitality sector in particular who are being hard hit by the latest changes.

"We see Christmas parties being cancelled left, right and centre, which has a very significant impact on those businesses. I would urge people to do what they can, when they've got the opportunity, to support hospitality businesses which provide livelihoods and incomes for very many people across this county.

"As soon as we can, get back out there, start spending money in the restaurants and pubs. It is vitally important we support that sector as best we can, as soon as we can."

Councillor Mark Deaville runs a pub in the Staffordshire Moorlands. He said: "We in the hospitality industry really know what we're doing and our one aim is to ensure that people who visit local pubs and restaurants during the Christmas period do so with confidence and do so safely."

Councillor Simon Tagg said: "Cancellations that are coming in for hospitality and all sorts of things associated with Christmas are just killing business. I think that's really unfortunate.

"We should not be scaring the life out of people, affecting businesses and putting livelihoods at risk."

Councillor Johnny McMahon, a retired GP, said residents needed to get out to boost morale as well as maintaining the local economy.

He added: "As a clinician, I agree entirely with all the previous speakers. We have got to get out there and enjoy ourselves but live within the confines of what's being asked of us by the Government.

"Get the vaccine. Wear masks where you are asked to. Get a lateral flow test before you go out. If you do these things which are small measures and small inconveniences then we can still enjoy life."

Councillor Julia Jessel said: "It's easy to forget there are people behind these businesses – owners, proprietors, directors and employees. Having a good strong economy is really important because without that you've got owners of businesses who are terribly worried, you've got employees with the uncertainty of whether they've got a job or not.

"As a society I think we need to have time to enjoy ourselves. It's not just supporting pubs, it's people going out safely and enjoying themselves and socialising.

"I think people are getting a little bit down. I'm one of life's optimistic ones and even I'm getting to the point where I never thought, nearly two years on, we'd still have Covid hanging over us.

"At the end of the day you cannot have a happy, well-balanced society without a successful economy."

Councillor Philip White, cabinet member for economy and skills said: "Our economy is continuing to do well but we are concerned with the challenges the Omicron variant brings. Staffordshire County Council and our partners are here to help our businesses with the advice and support they need in these difficult times.

"What we all need to do as the general public is behave responsibly, take sensible precautions and get on with our lives and enjoy ourselves a little bit as it is Christmas. We can enjoy ourselves with some reasonable adaptations to make sure we keep everyone safe. In doing so we can make sure that the money continues to come into the businesses that need it."