UK won’t impose fresh Covid curbs before New Year’s eve : Rashtra News
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The UK government has decided not to impose further COVID-19 lockdown curbs before the New Year in England, even as the devolved nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland continue with party and nightclub bans to contain the spread of the Omicron variant.
After meetings with experts to assess the latest coronavirus data on Monday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that no additional restrictions will be imposed on the current Plan B measures in place which call for compulsory face coverings, working from home and COVID vaccine certificate checks for large venues.
“We will continue to monitor the data carefully, but there will be no new restrictions introduced in England before the New Year,” Johnson tweeted.
“However, I would urge everyone to continue to act cautiously given the rising number of Omicron cases. Most importantly I urge everyone to get their first, second or booster jab without delay to protect yourselves and your loved ones,” he said.
UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid reiterated the message to reporters later, adding that further measures may be needed next month.
He said: “Of course, people should remain cautious as we approach New Year’s celebrations, and you know, take a lateral flow test if that makes sense. Celebrate outside if you can, have some ventilation indoors if you can, please remain cautious.
“And when we get into the New Year, of course, we will see then whether we do need to take any further measures but nothing more until then at least.”
The announcement has been widely welcomed by the hospitality industry in England, hoping to make the most of the business generated by New Year’s eve parties. UK Hospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said the decision to not go beyond Plan B measures in England had been a “pragmatic and proportionate” decision by the government.
“This will give a real lifeline for many who have struggled with the loss of trade in the run-up to Christmas and the loss of new year on top of that would have been devastating for many,” she said.
It came as the UK recorded 98,515 coronavirus cases on Monday slightly down from the highs of over 100,000 in previous days. Scientists have expressed cautious hope that infections are slowing down and that fewer people are requiring hospitalisation due to Omicron, which is believed to now make up 90 per cent of all COVID cases in England.
Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, told the BBC that in time people with COVID should be allowed to “go about their normal lives” as they would with a common cold.
READ ALSO | Omicron spreads global gloom over New Year’s celebrations
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( News Source :Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Rashtra News staff and is published from a www.indiatoday.in feed.)
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