By Ben Kerrigan-
Boris Johnson has confirmed that the Government is moving to its coronavirus Plan B in the wake of rapidly increasing cases of the omicron variant.
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, the Prime Minister confirmed that people across Britain should now work from home where possible to curb the spread of the variant.
He also announced that the requirement of face masks will be extended to most indoor settings in England, and that vaccine passports will be required for large events.
Evidence of double vaccination or proof a negative lateral test will also be required to attend large events, he said.
The new rules requiring double vaccinations apply to unseated indoor venues with more than 500 people, unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people, and any venue with more than 10,000 people.
In relation to mandatory vaccines, Boris Johnson said he doesn’t believe “we can keep going indefinitely” with restrictions on people’s lives just because a percentage of the population are not vaccinated.
Johnson added that there has to be a “national conversation on this”. The extension of mandatory face mask wearing to “most public indoor venues”, including theatres and cinemas.
There will be exemptions “where it is not practical”, such as when eating, drinking, exercising or singing.
He further added: “We can’t yet assume that Omicron is less severe than previous variants.
“So while the picture may get better, and I sincerely hope that it will, we know that the remorseless logic of exponential growth could lead to a big rise in hospitalisations and therefore, sadly, in deaths.
“That’s why it is now the proportionate and the responsible thing to move to Plan B in England while continuing to work closely with our colleagues in the devolved administrations, so we slow the spread of the virus, buy ourselves the time to get yet more boosters into arms, especially in the older and more vulnerable people.”
Leaked Video
The prime minister, whose sudden announcement followed a leaked video of a party in Downing Street, said it had become “increasingly clear” that Omicron virus was spreadinng much more rapidly than the previous Delta variant, and was “spreading rapidly all around the world”.
Doubts have been cast about the motive behind the announced restrictions, with Johnson’s former adviser, describing the move in advance as a dead cat measures.
Proportionate And Responsible
The Prime Minister’s comment that it was “the proportionate and the responsible thing” to introduce stronger COVID restrictions, was a long way away from being proportionate or responsible, was the leaked video about christmas party in Downing Street.
Government ministers defying social distancing orders and conducting a mock press briefing rehearsal raises serious questions about the integrity of those ministers and the sincerity of the policies they had set, given their departure from it.
Today, the prime minister’s adviser, Allegar Starean resigned for joking about the christmas party which was defying government rules.
She said: “The British people have made immense sacrifices in the battle against COVID-19.
“I now fear that my comments in the leaked video of the 20th of December have become a distraction from that fight.
“My remarks seemed to make light of the rules, rules that people were doing everything to obey. That was never my intention”.
Genuine Necessity
The question about the new new rules set is not whether they will be helpful in restricting the spread of the Omicron virus, but whether the prime minister actually believes them necessary, and has established them for the reasons that have no conenction with the leaked video that exposed the recklessness of his ministers.
William Wragg described the Prime Minister’s announcement in the House of Commons on Tuesday as ”diversinary tactics”.
He represented one of several Tory figures to take aim at the PM after senior No10 staff were seen laughing about a party in a leaked video from when London was in Covid restrictions.
Speaking in the Commons ahead of the press conference where Mr Johnson announced restrictions, Mr Wragg said: “There are media reports of a Cabinet meeting and press conference this afternoon to initiate Covid Winter Plan B without reference to this House.
“Covid passes will not increase uptake of the vaccine, but will create a segregated society.
“Is the Prime Minister aware that very few will be convinced by this diversionary tactic?”
Conservative former minister Greg Clark said Health Secretary Sajid Javid has “jumped the gun”.
Mr Clarke said what matters is hospital admissions and that the data on any increase in this area is not known yet.
“That data is not available yet. So why has the secretary of state reversed his position and jumped the gun in this way?” Mr Clark asked.
Sajid Javid, health secretary, was heckled with calls of “resign” in the Commons when he announced the new restrictions to MPs.
Steve Baker, chair of the Covid Recovery Group of lockdown-sceptic MPs, warned the restrictions “could scarcely be more serious for the future of our lives in this country”.
Johnson was asked by Ben Riley-Smith, of the Telegraph, whether he called the announcement forward to “bounce” headlines about the Christmas party, as suggested by a number of MPs.
Boris Johnson has said the new restrictions will be reviewed in January.