
The findings come as daily Covid-19 cases reached their highest level in almost a year and the UKHSA predicted that, if current trends continue, the UK will exceed one million infections by the end of the month.Ĭabinet minister Michael Gove warned of a “deeply concerning situation” after holding a Cobra meeting on Friday afternoon to discuss the latest data and the co-ordinated response across the four nations. “The Government will continue to look closely at all the emerging data and we’ll keep our measures under review as we learn more about this variant.”Īnalysis by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) found that the AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines provided “much lower” levels of protection against symptomatic infection with Omicron compared to Delta.īut the preliminary data, which looked at 581 people with confirmed Omicron, suggested effectiveness seemed to “increase considerably” in the early period after a booster dose, giving around 70 to 75% protection against symptomatic infection. Plan B is the proportionate approach given what we know at this stage about the Omicron variant. Travel rules are already set to be reviewed along with rules on testing and isolation.īoris Johnson at the press conference at 10 Downing Street on December 8 where he outlined Plan B rules (Image: Getty Images)Ī Government spokesperson said on Friday: “There are no plans for further restrictions.
Another lockdown uk 2021 full#
Professor Ferguson says it may not be possible to avoid a full national lockdown - meaning pubs and restaurants closing again and a return of social distancing measures like the Rule of Six banning parties and gatherings. Plan C could include using Covid passports for all pubs, cafes and restaurants and bringing back masks in all hospitality venues.

Plan B rules, some of which are not yet in force, include wearing masks in most public places in England, working from home and using Covid passports to get into some venues. It says that even if Omicron causes hospitalisation at a third of the rate of Delta - amid speculation symptoms may be less severe - tough measures will still be needed by December 18. It says even if the rate at which Omicron spreads is cut in half by Plan B measures tougher rules will still be needed this month. The Government held an emergency COBRA meeting with the devolved administrations of the UK on Friday.Īccording to The Guardian, the advice to Mr Javid reads: "Under a range of plausible scenarios, stringent action is needed on or before 18 December 2021 if doubling times stay at 2.5 days." Care home residents only allowed three visitors under new coronavirus restrictions.The telltale sign of new Covid Omicron variant that appears at night.

SAGE expert and lockdown architect Professor Neil Ferguson said the actual numbers could be twice as high.

The UKHSA said that could reach 248,000 people being infected in a day by December 19 - and 5,000 people being admitted to hospital. The news of potentially tougher measures comes as hospitalisations are already increasing, and cases have risen to almost 60,000 a day, WalesOnline reports. Go here for the latest coronavirus updates and breaking Covid-19 news The UKHSA said that if measures aren't imposed the number of people being admitted to hospital with Covid will put the NHS under too much pressure. The Guardian has seen a document from the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) to Mr Javid saying that 'stringent national measures' must be imposed by December 18 and would resemble something close to another lockdown.

Strict new Covid rules could be imposed across the UK within just seven days to stop the NHS being put under unsustainable pressure, according to leaked documents sent to England's Health Secretary Sajid Javid.
