Under a stricter Plan C, ministers could impose new restrictions on care homes in advance of Christmas. They also might make masks mandatory in bars and restaurants.
If the Omicron super-variant proves to not be as deadly as scientists believe, then the controversial vaccine passports may be expanded to other venues as part of the Downing Street suite.
According to a Government source, it is very likely that care home residents will be prohibited from having more than three visitors during Christmas. This would help prevent another explosion in the sector.
Campaign groups warn that the plan could prove to be devastating, with residents being forced to choose their family members for what may be their final Christmas.
You will also need to check in with NHS Covid again before you go to any pubs or restaurants, wear face masks inside all indoor areas, and present a vaccination passport for more places.
Today, the first section of Government’s Plan B was implemented with mandatory face masks being used indoors such as cinemas, churches and theatres.
A new guidance system for work from home will go into effect Monday. MPs are scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether vaccine passports should be introduced in large nightclubs or other venues.
Labour stated today that it is ready to support Plan B, despite the suggestion that opposition MPs may vote against the plans. This was in protest of ongoing accusations against No10 that they held many lockdown-breaking events last winter.
Boris Johnson, a minister from the Omicron group said Wednesday that they hope these measures will suffice to “slow down the spread” of Omicron while additional booster jabs can be rolled out.
But – as shops, pubs and restaurants warn of the millions they face losing at their busiest time of year under Plan B measures – officials are already working on a potential ‘Plan C’ package.
The top of the list: the reintroduction rules that require hospitality venues collect contact information of customers in order to assist NHS Test and Trace to track down people who have come in contact with Covid cases.
The return of mandatory ‘check ins’ would be possible through the NHS App or by providing written phone and email contact details.
This looming threat to even more restrictions comes amid outrage at Johnson’s decision yesterday to impose Plan B policies, the very day he was trying to cope with the Downing Street Christmas party scam.
When the measure is voted upon next week, he will be in a “war” with his backbenchers. They reacted furiously to the planned introduction of vaccine passports next week – and took aim at the ‘conflicting’ guidance on working from home and socialising.
As people stay home long before Boris Johnson’s Plan B was implemented, tube travel has been dropping. (pictured today)
The use of masks seems to have increased after being made mandatory in a wider variety of settings.
According to the UK Health Security Agency, the map above shows the top ten locations with the highest number of Omicron-related cases. Although West Northamptonshire, the nation’s most popular area for this mutant strain is in London, eight of the ten other areas are located in the county.
Hours after Boris Johnson’s Omicron Plan B was announced, the great Christmas exodus began from the office. Tube and bus travel were reduced and traffic plummeted to their lowest levels since October. MailOnline can confirm today
According to the UKHSA, cases increased in 90% of English local authorities over the week ended in England. The Omicron variant is now widely known.
A source told The Telegraph that it was ‘highly likely’ care homes will once again be hit by restrictions, with ministers looking at limiting the number of visitors to three.
This move is expected to be completed in time for Christmas, in an effort to curb the mix-ups in the homes.
Campaign groups have criticized the plan, claiming that it will make families face difficult decisions regarding who can see their loved ones at Christmas.
Rights for Residents said to the newspaper, “It only takes us back many months ago. And the effect it will have upon families will be catastrophic.”
“It is absolutely heartbreaking that families have to decide who they will allow to visit their homes. What is the best way to choose those three individuals?
This is despite the fact that Johnson made the decision to place Plan B restrictions, while he tried to cope with the Downing Street Christmas party scandal.
When the measure is voted upon next week, he will be in a “war” with his backbenchers. They reacted furiously to the planned introduction of vaccine passports next week – and took aim at the ‘conflicting’ guidance on working from home and socialising.
Minimum 50 Tories publicly voiced concerns and one senior Conservative suggested that Johnson should ‘get grip’.
MailOnline has been told by Ringleaders that this will be the largest mutiny to date, with 60 people expected to challenge the government whip.
Marcus Fysh, Backbencher for the Conservative Party said that Thursday’s latest curbs were an “utter disgrace”. Mark Harper, former chief whip has asked whether the government is morally authorized to place the limits after the Downing Street row.
The website for NHS Covid passed crashed last night, causing further problems.
Sajid Javid, a sign of tensions in Cabinet, dismissed the suggestion that mandatory vaccination may be considered by the PM. He said that it would not be ethical to do so.
The Health Secretary said that he had refused to resume a round of scheduled broadcast interviews because of the explosive video showing No10 aides laughing about an alleged festive event last year.
A poll that showed 63% of respondents believe the PM should be resigned has highlighted the extent of the Tories’ damage from partying revelations. This followed the sleaze row.
Labour also had a four-point lead in the Redfield & Wilton poll, the largest since the 2019 general election.
Johnson, on Wednesday, announced that the Government had changed its approach to coronavirus. This included an increase in mask wearing starting from Thursday, returning to home work Monday, and compulsory Covid passports at large venues starting Wednesday.
This move provoked an outpouring of Tory criticism. It was fuelled by the suspicions that the measures were put in place to distract attention from Prime Minister’s problems over an alleged Downing Street staff party during the lockdown last December.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton Brownn was a prominent member of 1922 Committee of backbench Conservative MPs and said that Johnson should ‘get grip’ to avoid losing support.
He warned the PM that if his ‘bad month’ – which also saw fury over Tory sleaze – continued in the New Year, ‘then I think there would be a serious change of mind of giving him the benefit of the doubt’.
Johnson could have to depend on the support of Opposition if his Plan B measures need to be approved by the Commons. This is because of the Tory rebellion. Labour stated it supports the regulations. Liberal Democrats support working at home, but they will not approve of vaccine passports.
Senior Tory sources warned that while we may be able to pass the bill with support from the Opposition, there would still be a lot of trouble within our party if dissatisfaction takes hold.
David Warburton, Tory MP, called Plan B “confused, contradictory and arbitrary” adding that: “This madness must end.” Officials suggested that an exception to face-covering regulations would permit people to take off their masks at shops and cinemas, in order to allow them to meet up with colleagues.
Tory Greg Smith stated: “Go to the pub but not to work. Wear a mask while shopping (unless you’re trying to sing )… Where will it end?)
Mansfield MP Ben Bradley called vaccine passports “ineffective and discriminatory” and stated that he couldn’t vote for any restrictions “just in case”, at a moment when deaths and hospitalisations are declining.
Asked whether Tory rebels will be putting lives at risk, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘The advice that we have received is without action – given the incredibly fast growth rate of this variant – the consequences, in terms of hospitalisations and deaths, could be severe.’
Many Cabinet ministers including Kwasi Kwarteng and Jacob Rees Mogg feel that Plan B is not necessary at the moment.
Sir Iain Duncan Smith was the Tory’s former leader. He said the Cabinet was “full of scaredycats” who react to new curbs rather than panicking.
On Thursday morning, Javid was asked if it made sense for staff to be instructed to work remotely but still attend parties. He said that he thought it was proportionate when examining the measures such as the guidance on working from home, rules about face masks and the NHS Covid Pass.
It is possible to have a wide range of reactions.
It could be guidance. Covid could pass clearly in more settings. Or you could use face masks with more settings. However, it is important to make an informed decision.
According to him, BBC Radio 4’s Today program said: “We will keep them under review. But they will make a substantial impact on slowing down the spread of this variant.”
Economic experts have criticised the restrictions ahead of the crucial pre-Christmas period, warning they could cost the economy £4billion a month and ‘easily’ knock two per cent off the size of the economy.
The hospitality industry said Plan B will kill off festive trade – a period when pubs, nightclubs and restaurants make a third of their annual profits. Some call for the return of furloughs and cash grants to restaurants, bars, cafés and cafes.
Clive Wilson (Chairman of The City Pub Company) stated that he expects the price of a pint of beer to go up by 40p due to rising energy prices and other pressures.
For restaurants and late-night economy, a third is earned in December. This has been described as a “body blow”, but it’s much more, he stated.
“And I noticed that the Chancellor has stopped providing additional state aid. The current state aid does not suffice. We need more state aid. Otherwise, many businesses will be short of money.
Economic experts also criticised the move ahead of the crucial pre-Christmas period, warning they could cost the economy £4 billion a month and ‘easily’ knock 2 per cent off the size of the economy.
Lord Sugar posted that the Prime Minister should be removed and said: “Plan B. Boris, is mentally.” If you’re double vax, you may work from home and still be able to go to football matches or nightclubs. He must leave. If I’m wrong, I don’t know of anyone who was forced to die from this strain. The collapse of small BIZs is imminent.
London road congestion reached its lowest point for the morning rush hour on Thursday. TomTom data gave a figure at 68%, which was between 8am and 9.
It was lower than yesterday’s 75%, Tuesday’s 79% and Monday’s 69% for that same period. The Thursday figure was 73%.
TomTom data revealed that Thursday was the day with the least congestion among the midweek days of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday since November’s beginning.
When Thursday, November 4, saw the same level as Thursday’s 68% figure on Thursday, it was so low that Thursday had to be at the lowest point.
It is vital to analyze the midweek days because workers in recent months have worked from home on Mondays or Fridays while going to work from Tuesdays through Thursdays.
A congestion level is an average increase in travel time by drivers compared to uncongested baseline conditions. So a 68% congestion level will mean that a 30-minute trip with no traffic will take 20 extra minutes.
Last night at the Commons, Harper stated that the evidence regarding the spread Omicron was not sufficient to support the introduction these measures. He said this because there has been no case in Britain of Omicron.
He stated to MPs that the credibility of the Government, on Paterson and on Christmas parties has suffered a blow over the last couple weeks.
‘Why should anyone at home listen to the Prime Minister or the Health Secretary when they can do things people who work in No10 aren’t prepared to do?
Philip Davies from the Tory Party criticized Mr Javid’s ‘latest’ in a series of unnecessary and arbitrary socialist measures. He suggested that Mr Javid had “gone native”.
This Covid-related crackdown occurred just hours after PM issued an uncommon apology for the leaked video in which his former press secretary Allegra Ston and other No10 staffers appeared to joke and laugh about the mock Christmas party.
This video angered the relatives of Covid victims, who claimed that they were unable to see their dying loved ones because lockdown rules had been put in place during No10’s party.
Yesterday, Mr Johnson reiterated his assertion that there were no violations of rules.
Prof. Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance (the chief scientist) seemed to mock No 10. They stood next to Mr Johnson last evening, asking people to observe the restrictions.
Sir Patrick stated: “The rules have been carefully considered… they are there for everyone to follow.”
Professor Whitty stated that “We all know that people can get mad at their colleagues or friends when it feels unfair.”
Yesterday, Prime Minister’s questions was in turmoil. Mr Johnson made a rare apology, saying that he was upset to watch the clip where No. 10 aides seemed to’make light of lockdown procedures’.
He continued, “I apologize unreservedly to the offence that has been caused up and down this country, and I also apologise that it creates.” He said, “But I reiterate that I have been consistently assured that the Covid rules have not been violated and there were no parties since I heard these accusations.”
No. 10 stated that it was “categorically false” to claim the Plan B move had been made to distract attention from the terrible coverage about alleged rule-breaking done by PM’s staff.
Johnson also stated that the evidence of the spread of the virus was overwhelming and forced him to take action. To ensure that everyone has a normal Christmas, Plan B is the best option. Although it’s annoying, this is not an emergency.
The best way to prevent a massive outbreak of the virus in the next month is to adhere to the updated rules and have booster shots.
Last night, a Whitehall source said that Plan B had been introduced to stop the spread and shift the peak in February back to March. This will allow for more people to have their booster shots.
Labour leader Sir Keir starmer claimed that the apology of Prime Minister ‘raises many questions than answers’ as he had been “caught red-handed”.
He stated that he believed the Prime Minister had taken them for fools.
Wes Streeting is Labour’s spokesperson for health, and he said that Labour supports the restrictions because they are ‘in national interest’. This means they almost certain to be approved by the Commons.
However, Johnson will face an inevitable Tory backlash as MPs vote next Tuesday on the measures. Party members have already threatened to quit.