Johnson Says There Is Insufficient Evidence To Justify Tougher Measures before Xmas

By Ben Kerrigan

There is not enough evidence to justify tougher measure, Boris Johnson has said.The prime minister rejected early pressure for a national lockdown from lockdoen fanatics , as he opted for an hourly review of developments.

Advisers of Boris Johnson have been heaping pressure on the prime minister to lock the  nation down based on insufficient evidence thzt the quick spread lf the omicron virus will overwhelm the Nhs.

He said the rapid spread of the Omicron variant meant curbs could still be imposed after 25 December. In a tweeted video message, the prime minister said that while the situation was complex he understood that people needed to make Christmas plans.

“There is no doubt that Omicron continues to surge with a speed unlike anything we’ve seen before,” he said. “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.”

Boris Johnson urged xthe public press ahead with festive plans, Johnson said he “would urge everyone to exercise caution, to keep protecting yourselves and your loved ones, especially the vulnerable”.

The prime minister said the  data on the threat of Omicron would be  monitored “hour by

Sajid Javid, the health secretary, and Nadine Dorries, the culture secretary, were among those in favour of acting quickly.

Rishi Sunak, the foreign secretary, Liz Truss, the education secretary, Nadhim Zahawi, and the Commons leader, Jacob Rees-Mogg, were among those who called for more evidence  to justify new measures.