MAKE OR BREAK
Boris Johnson set to make announcement in next 48 HOURS on looming restrictions
BORIS Johnson has confirmed Christmas is ON - but could still announce his Omicron battle plan within the next 48 hours.
In a huge boost to Brits fearing a festive season away from their loved ones, the PM revealed there will be no restrictions on the big day itself.
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However, the PM is mulling further restrictions after December 25, and could impose a two-week circuit-breaker lockdown from December 27, it's believed.
It's understood he is considering announcing new restrictions at either a press conference or televised address to the nation before Christmas Eve.
Tonight Mr Johnson hinted at tougher rules saying there was not currently enough data - but "we cannot rule out any further measures after Christmas."
The Rule of Six and outdoor pints could make a return under the Government's plans. Indoor mixing could also be banned in a bid to slow the spread of the mutation.
It comes after Nicola Sturgeon today unveiled tough new rules in Scotland from Boxing Day.
Mr Johnson said tonight: "There is no doubt that Omicron continues to surge with a speed unlike anything we’ve seen before.
"The situation remains extremely difficult but I also recognise that people have been waiting to hear whether their Christmas plans are going to be affected.
"So what I can say tonight, is that naturally we can’t rule out any further measures after Christmas - and we’re going to keep a constant eye on the data, and we’ll do whatever it takes to protect public health.
"But in view of the continuing uncertainty about several things – the severity of Omicron, uncertainty about the hospitalisation rate or the impact of the vaccine rollout or the boosters, we don’t think today that there is enough evidence to justify any tougher measures before Christmas.
"We continue to monitor Omicron very closely and if the situation deteriorates we will be ready to take action if needed.
"What this means is that people can go ahead with their Christmas plans but the situation remains finely balanced and I would urge everyone to exercise caution, to keep protecting yourselves and your loved ones, especially the vulnerable."
He urged everyone to get their booster shots as soon as possible.
"Remember to keep following the guidance - wear a mask indoors when required to do so, keep fresh air circulating, and take a test before you visit elderly or vulnerable relatives," he said.
"So, if you have not done so already then please drop everything, find a walk-in or go online and make an appointment and get boosted now."
Top docs are presenting rebellious Tory MPs with the latest data TONIGHT ahead of a likely crunch vote on the slate of measures in Parliament.
However, news that there will not be any restrictions on Christmas Day itself will come as a huge relief to millions of people who missed out last year.
Mr Johnson is instead eyeing a post-festive squeeze as early as December 27 to bite down on Omicron before the New Year when hospitals will feel the strain.
Speaking today he hammered his core message for people to get boosted "to secure vital protection for yourselves, your loved ones and your communities."
His clarion call makes it more vital than ever for vaccine volunteers to sign up to The Sun's Jabs Army campaign.
In key developments:
- Rishi Sunak unveiled a £1billion package for desperate pubs and restaurants
- Nicola Sturgeon announced a Boxing Day tightening of the rules
- Ministers were preparing to slash the isolation period from 10 to seven days
- Sadiq Khan scrapped the planned New Years Eve event in Trafalgar Square
- A top scientist said Omicron may not be spreading as rapidly as feared
- Doctors warned 90 per cent of ICU patients were unvaccinated
It was revealed today that a further 15,363 additional confirmed cases of Omicron have now been reported in the UK, bringing the total to 60,508.
A further 90,629 cases of Covid were recorded in the past 24 hours, the third-highest tally of the pandemic so far.
A total of 7,801 people were in hospital in the UK with Covid on December 20.
That's the highest number since November 23, and up 1 per cent from a week earlier.
During the second wave of coronavirus, hospital numbers peaked at 39,254 on January 18.
Meanwhile, cabinet ministers have fanned fears of a circuit-breaker following their decision yesterday to hold off announcing any imminent restrictions.
Rishi Sunak said there was "an enormous amount of uncertainty" around Christmas plans and could not rule anything out.
Asked if he could rule out restrictions before the New Year, the Chancellor said: "I absolutely appreciate people's frustration with all of this.
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"And I'd refer people to the Prime Minister's words yesterday. And unfortunately, we're just dealing with an enormous amount of uncertainty at the moment.
"And what the Prime Minister said is that we're reviewing the data day by day, hour by hour, keeping the situation under constant review that can't rule anything out."
Cabinet Office Minister Steve Barclay also said ministers were "looking closely at the data" before deciding whether to pull the trigger on a circuit-breaker.
Make-or-break modelling from top Government advisers is also expected as soon as today to force the PM to take action.
Ms Sturgeon this afternoon heaped pressure on Mr Johnson to tighten the rules as she unveiled a clampdown in Scotland.
Fans will no longer be allowed into stadiums and pubs must revert to table service after December 26. No more than three households will be able to sit in a group.
REBEL REBEL
Meanwhile Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific adviser, is briefing Tory MPs on the latest Omicron evidence tonight.
Mr Johnson fears a massive backbench revolt against more restrictions could once again leave him in the fragile position of relying on Labour.
They'll be shown the most recent SAGE minutes which warn that "more stringent measures would need to be implemented very soon".
Firing a warning shot across the PM's bow, ex-Cabinet Minister Esther McVey said people shouldn't be cowed by "scaremongering by the lockdown fanatics".
Angry Tory MPs have been crying out for clarity as millions of Brits prepare to travel across the country for Christmas.
Hospitality bosses also demanded to know the plan so they could decide whether or not to order supplies.
Strict guidance to limit gatherings has taken a wrecking ball to businesses' golden Christmas trading period and seen December profits tank by 60 per cent.
Unfortunately, we're just dealing with an enormous amount of uncertainty
Rishi Sunak
The Chancellor unveiled a bumper £1billion package to stop hospitality venues going to the wall after suffering a flood of cancellations from cautious Brits.
Following a clamour for help, Mr Sunak this afternoon announced one-off £6,000 grants for 200,000 hospitality and leisure venues.
More than £100million will be funnelled to local councils to use for other venues in need of emergency cash.
He also said the Government would revive the Statutory Sick Pay scheme for staff forced to isolate as the super-variant threatens millions of absences.
From today the Treasury will bankroll the £96.35 a week for workers forced to take time off with Covid. Bosses can make retrospective claims from mid-January.
Labour's Pat McFadden fumed: "The real question after yesterday’s indecisive Cabinet meeting is what will happen next, when will the country be informed of that, and will support for businesses and workers be placed alongside any further public health measures that might be announced."
In a flicker of good news a top scientist today said Omicron "isn't spreading as fast as doomsday predictions suggest".
Cambridge professor Sir David Spiegelhalter claims that overall admissions to hospital should remain manageable - as the rate "isn't looking quite as bad" as once thought.
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And Sir Jeremy Farrar, a former member of Sage, said: "Omicron is spreading unbelievably fast. It is a phenomenal variant transmission.
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"There is great uncertainty about what is it going to lead to in terms of pressure on the health system, people going to hospital, particularly people dying, but also what impact is it going to have on the broader society, staff absences, the ability to have functioning other services, so there is great uncertainty.
"My personal view is that I think we can wait at the moment until there are more restrictions formally placed."
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Rishi Sunak says ‘we’re dealing with an enormous amount of certainty’ with PM still not ruling out further restrictions