By Lucy Caulkett-
Tougher Covid restrictions expected across the Uk may be on their way to parliament, if minister drawing up plans get their way in convincing Boris Johnson to agree to them.
This time, they will need to be passed in parliament to be taken seriously after all the drama of the past week, and indeed the past year.
With labour party in support of restrictions, the planned measures may be successful, but another rebellion by backbenchers could be the final nail in Boris Johnson’s political coffin if he passes another controversial lw without enough support from within his own party
. Johnson has alot of political calculations to make with the pressures facing him from all angles
The prime minister is known for weathering storms, and has weathered many a violent storms in the past. But the latest showdown that saw a major rebellion in his party when voting in the latest restrictions passed early this week.
A new set of restrictions will get moods boiling in the nation among his back bencjers.
New restrictions could see attendees of pubs and restaurants served outside, in a bid to counter the increasing numbers of 90,000 infections were recorded today.
A “major incident” was declared in London this afternoon, with the capital marked as a virus spreader.
This week the UK recorded a record number of Covid cases for three days in a row – with 90,418 new cases confirmed today.
Sage experts have warned the government stricter restrictions are needed “very soon” in England in order to stop hospital admissions reaching 3,000 a day.
Leaked meetings of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies held on Thursday say “the timing of such measures is crucial” and that “delaying until 2022 would greatly reduce the effectiveness”.
Reports from both the BBC and the Financial Times have revealed that Boris Johnson was presented with a number of options on Friday under a so-called Plan C, ranging from “mild guidance to nudge people, right through to lockdown”.
The plans reportedly being drawn up would see indoor meetings with people you don’t live with once again being banned after Christmas
It includes plans of a two-week Covid circuit breaker lockdown planned before end of year, but which will also need to be voted into law.
Meanwhile pubs and restaurants would once again have to serve customers outdoors.
The “rule of six” rule would be reintroduced for outdoor meetings under the arrangements, while shielding would return to protect the most vulnerable.
However, schools and shops would not be shut under the plans, The Times reports.
The Welsh government has said it would close nightclubs from December 27 and impose a two-metre social distancing rule in offices – but it remains to be seen whether the circuit breaker begins the same day in England.
A Cobra meeting is set to be held over the weekend with the leaders of the devolved nations.
On Friday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Omicron was now the dominant strain of coronavirus in Scotland, as she warned a “tsunami” of the variant was hitting the country.
Ms Sturgeon said the R number, which measures the rate of infection, could be above four and urged people to stay at home in the run-up to Christmas, saying the emergence of Omicron has been the “cruellest of blows”.