Warnings about switching to video games instead of playing board games this Christmas by a council has been branded "nonsense" by angry residents.

Medway Council has launched a public health campaign about how to have a Covid-safe festive season.

But the posts shared on social media, which the council says is being aimed at younger people, have been met with a furious backlash about their tone and content with hundreds of people contracting the virus and dozens dying every week in Medway.

The council said research had found younger people were more likely to respond to a more "humourous" campaign.

A picture of a man holding a games console controller was posted on Thursday morning with the caption: "Playstation anyone? Help control the spread of COVID and avoid playing board games this Christmas".

The post went on to advise people "board games aren't Covid compliant" but people pointed out sharing controllers could also be a vector for spreading the virus.

The council has also been accused of not supporting local businesses such as one of Medway's most popular attractions, the Playopolis board game cafe in Rochester. In a tweet replying to the council's post, the company said: "Big thanks to Medway council for the support here. It's perfectly safe to play board games with your family this Christmas.

"Local councils should be supporting small businesses, not encouraging people to abandon them."

Daniel Nethersole added: "Great support for local businesses - there is absolutely no reason you can't play board games with your household this Christmas. The logic of board games also extends to controllers, which people share."

However, guidance issued by the government from scientific advisors has suggested avoiding playing board games because of sharing pieces and cards and instead switching to quiz based or video conferencing based games for 2020.

A document published by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) states: "Risks can be reduced through substituting activities for those that minimise sharing of objects, for example through playing quiz-based games rather than those which involved lots of shared game pieces.

"Any objects which are likely to have direct contact with the mouth pose a particularly high risk. Where shared objects are involved good hand hygiene and avoiding touching the face during the activities can reduce risks."

Singing and sharing plates and serving dishes has also been advised against along with regular hand-washing and using anti-bacterial wipes to clean down surfaces.

The issue stems from mixing households, which stricter advice issued by the Prime Minister yesterday said should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Rob Clarke said: "One of the top rated business in Medway is a board game café that's struggling to survive through this, but great to see our taxes spent on a Sony advert based on absolutely zero science.

"Top tip: Maybe don't use a guy literally SCREAMING for your 'safe activity'."

Darren Hurley-Smith posted: "Anyone who knows me knows that I take COVID extremely seriously.

"This is utterly unscientific blather from a council known for its incompetence in all matters Covid.

"A controller is as much an infection vector as a board game. Instruct on safe handling instead of this nonsense."

Labour opposition councillor Alex Paterson criticised the council for ignoring the spread of the virus in schools in its campaign.

He said: "Having said not a dicky bird about raging transmission in schools, this seems a bit of a niche plan to tackle the virus."

Scientists say gathering at Christmas is risky and issued a range of practical measures people could do to make their traditional celebrations safer.

SAGE also suggest improving household ventilation by opening doors and windows, setting out separate spaces for visitors which households can avoid using after visitors leave, avoiding physical contact when greeting family members, a regular safety and cleaning routine and only members of the same households sleeping in the same room.

Sharing food and drink and avoiding "double-dipping" between plates and shared serving dishes has also been advised against as well as touching cutlery and other items being placed straight into a dishwasher or hot soapy water.

Medway Council director of public health, James Williams, said: "Coronavirus can be spread by touching contaminated surfaces so it’s important everyone takes measures to reduce the risk of unknowingly passing this deadly virus to their loved ones.

"SAGE has advised that board games, which may be traditionally played during the festive season, should be swapped for ones which don’t involve sharing pieces or controllers, such as quiz-based games.

“We are continuing to share government advice to residents of all ages and from all backgrounds, including targeting young people, schools and youth groups on social media.

"We will all be celebrating Christmas differently this year and everyone is encouraged to take measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

"If you will be sharing objects with people who are not in your household during the Christmas bubble period, you can reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus to your loved ones by washing your hands regularly and avoiding touching your face during the activity.

“It’s important we share government advice as well as target advice to try to appeal to Medway residents of all ages.

"We appreciate the new social media graphics and messaging might not appeal to everyone, as they are aimed at young people who may unknowingly pass on the virus if they have no symptoms.

"We will all be celebrating Christmas differently this year and everyone is encouraged to take measures to reduce the spread..."

"However, if we help protect just one person and consequently others they may be in contact with, then it will be worth it. We’re doing everything we can to help protect Medway residents and ask that residents play their part too.

"Medway is still seeing a high number of cases and everyone needs to act now and play their part in the fight against coronavirus, particularly during the Christmas period when families are likely to be spending time with each other.

“If you develop symptoms it is vital that you self-isolate and get a test as soon as possible."

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.

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