New Year’s Eve celebrations are likely to be free from legally-binding coronavirus curbs, sources revealed last night.
Multiple sources stated that time was short for Parliament to repeal the restrictions and reimpose them before the end the year.
The Government has vowed to give MPs a vote if more stringent measures are needed over the Christmas recess – but preliminary data has not yet been sufficient to justify further curbs.
Ministers continue to be concerned about hospital admissions rising, and Omicron’s transmissibility could cause the NHS to collapse. They have been encouraged by research that suggests the strain is more mild than other coronaviruses.
Last night a Cabinet source said that ‘with every day that goes by, it becomes less likely’ that Parliament will be recalled before New Year’s Eve. They said that with the post-Christmas bank holidays and 48-hour delay to recalling Parliament, it was ‘possible’ but unlikely that MPs would be ordered back.
‘Especially considering the amount of time needed for internal decisions to be made in Government before a recall is made,’ they added. Another said: ‘Colleagues would not vote in our favour if we cut short their Christmas break.’
New Year’s Eve celebrations are likely to be free from legally-binding coronavirus curbs, sources revealed last night. Image: New Year’s Eve Celebrations for Women on December 31, 2019,
Downing Street is awaiting more data before making a final decision on whether to impose further restrictions, but could instead issue guidance – as it has done for Christmas.
A Government source said last night: ‘It is more complicated to put things in law, but it is still possible – though you would obviously need quite strong data to justify doing that.’
In a video message, Boris Johnson will today say: ‘After two years of this pandemic, I can’t say that we are through it. Can I stop it? When Omicron is surging… we must together try to stop the spread of this new variant.
‘We must test ourselves and take extra care when meeting elderly or vulnerable relatives. Things are still difficult, we all know this.
‘But for millions of families up and down the country, I hope and believe that this Christmas is, and will be, significantly better than the last, in this vital respect.’
He praised those who are ‘selflessly self-isolating’ over the festive period to keep others safe and added: ‘Though the time for buying presents is theoretically running out, there is still a wonderful thing you can give your family and the whole country… and that is to get that jab, whether it is your first or second, or your booster.’
There had been speculation that ministers could impose a ‘circuit breaker’ bank of measures after Christmas, but Tory MPs last night urged the Prime Minister (pictured) to resist the move
According to reports, ministers remain concerned about hospital admissions increasing. The transmissibility Omicron variant could cause the NHS to be overwhelmed in the New Year.
Former Sage scientist Sir Jeremy Farrar said yesterday it was ‘very reasonable to pause, assess updated data after Christmas before deciding what if any measures are needed to ensure NHS, schools, work places, infrastructure can function through January’.
There had been speculation that ministers could impose a ‘circuit breaker’ after Christmas, but Tory MPs last night urged him to resist such a move.
Former Cabinet minister Theresa Villiers said: ‘Whilst people need to exercise caution and common sense over New Year, it is not clear further restrictions are needed.’
Another contrasted Mr Johnson’s position to that of Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford, who has introduced fresh restrictions from Boxing Day. ‘At the moment it looks relatively encouraging. He can hold his nerve and we might be alright.
‘That, of course, is very much unlike what is happening here in Wales, where Drakeford is in a complete flap,’ the MP said.
Omicron was also addressed in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
From December 27, the Scottish government closed all nightclubs. Their representatives have told them that they may open with social ditancing or table service. This would make the nightclubs more similar to bars.
This change will anger the hospitality industry north of the border. About 150 clubs will be affected by the new rules.
Fans shouted abuse at Nicola Sturgeon the first minister during a match in Scotland. A crowd at a game between Hibernian and Aberdeen chanted, ‘Sturgeon, get tae f***’.
Others held a banner saying ‘open your homes for COP26, closed doors for fans, f*** SNP’ – a reference to the climate change conference, which some blame for fuelling Covid cases.
Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said Miss Sturgeon’s restrictions ‘will be another hammer blow for employers and Scotland’s economy’.