Boris Johnson is not expected to announce post-Christmas COVID restrictions this week, a senior government source told Sky News. Sky's tamcohen has the latest and says the prime minister 'is being pulled in two directions'. More here:
Senior Conservative MPs who oppose further restrictions are expected to seize on the findings from the two latest studies.One study in England found that people infected with Omicron are 15-20% less likely to be admitted to hospital compared to those infected with Delta.'People can go ahead with their Xmas plans'
And those who've had a previous infection are 50-60% less likely to be hospitalised, compared with those with no previous infection. Separately, scientists in a Scotland-wide study claim Omicron is associated with a two-thirds reduction in the risk of hospital admission compared with Delta.Further restrictions
But ministers have stressed the government is constantly considering new COVID data, and leaders in the other home nations have already gone ahead with announcing post-Christmas rules.Stadiums will once again be empty as the Welsh government tries to slow the spread of OmicronLabour has called for clarity on the next steps so that people know where they stand for the coming week.