According to the top Cardinal of UK, places of worship should not be closed under new Covid regulations that fight Omicron surge.

  • Boris Johnson plans to limit further restrictions being imposed in England
  • Catholic leader says churches are not places that spread virus 
  • Cardinal Vincent Nichols asked ministers to keep worship places open. 
  • Covid lockdown caused the closure of religious buildings from March 2020 to July 2020. 










A leader among Catholics in England & Wales has asked the government not to shut down churches due to record Covid-19 infections.

According to Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, large places like churches are not areas where the virus can be spread.

According to speculation Boris Johnson won’t impose further restrictions on England after Christmas. This is despite data showing Omicron could cause less severe illnesses than the Delta Covid-19 strain.  

The archbishop said that he appealed to them not to close churches or places of worship again, before addressing the BBC ahead of Midnight Mass at Westminster Cathedral.

Covid-19, which was discovered in March 2020, caused the closing of many places of worship in Britain. Religious buildings were only allowed to reopen in June and July 2020.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols (pictured), leader of the Catholics in England and Wales, said it was clear that large spaces such as churches were 'not places where we spread the virus'

Leader of the Catholics England and Wales (pictured), Cardinal Vincent Nichols said that it was obvious that churches are not places where the virus is spread.

Places of worship in England are allowed to hold individual prayers and funerals since June 15, 2020. On July 4, 2020, public worship in England was permitted to resume.

The archbishop said, “I believe this country has demonstrated that people can make sound judgments for themselves.”

“We understand the risks. It is clear what to do. The majority of people are careful and sensible. It doesn’t take much to make us do the right thing.

This comes just 28 days after another 122,186 confirmed Covid-19 case was recorded in the UK. 

Since June, 15, 2020, places of worship in England have been able to host individual prayer and funerals. Public worship was allowed to resume in England on July, 4, 2020. Pictured, Westminster Cathedral

Places of worship in England are allowed to hold individual prayers and funerals since June 15, 2020. The return of public worship to England began on July 4, 2020. Pictured, Westminster Cathedral 

Reports have claimed ministers are watching hospitalisation numbers in the capital, with a two-week 'circuit breaker' lockdown set to be imposed if daily numbers surpass 400

Ministers, according to some reports are monitoring hospitalisations in London. A two-week lockdown is being imposed on those who exceed 400 daily.

Covid hospital admissions in London ¿ Britain's Omicron ground zero ¿ are within touching distance of the Government's threshold of 400 for introducing lockdown restrictions across the country

Covid hospital admissions in London — Britain’s Omicron ground zero — are within touching distance of the Government’s threshold of 400 for introducing lockdown restrictions across the country 

Covid hospitalisations are now doubling roughly every 10 days - though they are still a far cry from the 850 at the peak last January

The number of covid hospitalizations is now about doubling every 10 days, although they still far exceed the 850 that was peaking last January.

A graph showing the daily count of Covid patients in mechanical ventilation beds. Johnson may have to make a call on more restrictions by Tuesday at the latest so they can be implemented in time for New Year's Eve

The daily Covid patient count in mechanical ventilation beds. Johnson could have to give a decision on additional restrictions as soon as Tuesday so they are implemented before New Year’s Eve. 

As part of an overall package to stop the spread of the virus in Scotland nightclubs will be closed for three weeks starting December 27, while Northern Ireland and Wales clubs will remain open until Boxing Day.

However, in England the government may decide to issue new guidelines on limiting contacts to avoid another Tory rebellion and recall Parliament.

According to the Prime Minister, he is not afraid to take action after Christmas. Monday will be the first chance for ministers and leaders to discuss whether any changes beyond Plan B are necessary.  

New curbs that could be put in place include a return of the rule number six, and a ban from socialising indoors with any other household. These could all take effect until March, according to scientific advisors to Government. 

Covid hospital admissions in London — Britain’s Omicron ground zero — are within touching distance of the Government’s threshold of 400 for introducing lockdown restrictions across the country.

The latest NHS data indicates that there were 386 new HIV-positive admissions in London on December 22nd, marking an increase of 92% over the previous week.

Although they have doubled in the past 10 days, the number of Covid hospitalizations is still far below the 850 seen at their peak last January. 

Johnson may have to make a call on more restrictions by Tuesday at the latest so they can be implemented in time for New Year’s Eve, The Times reports.  

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