![]() ![]() The country has now moved to ‘plan B’ where NHS Covid passes are expected to be used, and people are advised to work from home where possible. When he first introduced new measures – which include mandatory face masks in shops and on public transport, along with tightened rules about international travel – he said they were “temporary and precautionary” restrictions which were set to be reviewed after three weeks.īut the government’s language has intensified since Omicron cases has soared. However, Johnson has also refused to rule out introducing more restrictions to tackle Omicron in the coming weeks. Should Britain be ready for its fourth lockdown in less than two years? What has Downing Street said?ĭowning Street has not announced any plans to introduce a lockdown any time soon. One person has died after testing positive for the new variant, while approximately 10 patients have been hospitalised with it.īoris Johnson has already put the UK under ‘Plan B’ restrictions and is accelerating the booster programme. The government has announced new restrictions which came into place on Tuesday after a new variant of concern, Omicron, was identified.Īt least 3,000 Omicron cases have been reported in the UK so far. It is not compulsory.With Omicron cases rising, can the UK expect there to be another lockdown? (Photo: Rowan Jordan via Getty Images) The official added: “People can choose to wear a mask if they wish to. It remains health advice to the public – it is not mandatory.” I think that is pretty longstanding advice. Mr Sunak’s spokesman, asked for the Government’s opinion on the UKHSA’s guidance, said: “Obviously that’s advice they put out. However, Downing Street stressed that while the advice from health officials was “longstanding,” it was “not mandatory”. When Transport Secretary Mark Harper was asked on LBC whether he would follow such advice, he said that “wearing a mask is very sensible if you are ill”. “I welcome this new advice about people wearing masks and not going out if they’re ill, keeping children off school, because we need to do everything we can to avoid unnecessary illness.” I morning briefing: Why melting ice in Antarctica could threaten your home 08 August, 2023 Keir Starmer under pressure from Labour left to U-turn on new oil and gas licences 08 August, 2023 UK homes could be at risk of flooding if Antarctica becomes 'global radiator' and ice melts 08 August, 2023 The advice is not mandatory, but underlines concerns among experts that a “twindemic” of Covid and flu are putting hospitals under the biggest strain since the height of the pandemic. If adults do need to go out they are advised to wear a face mask, avoid healthcare settings and not visit vulnerable people. On Monday 2 January, Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser for the UKHSA, issued advice that should “wear a face covering” if they have to leave the house while feeling unwell.Ĭhildren who feel unwell and have a fever should stay off school, while adults who are ill should stay at home, the guidance says. We are working hard with the NHS to tackle the pressures faced this winter.” What is the current advice on face masks? “It would also make perfect sense to ask people who can work from home to do so if the NHS need us all to support them through this busy period of the year.”Ī spokeswoman for the UKHSA said that the introduction of any further measures “would sit with DHSC (Department for Health and Social Care)”.Ī DHSC spokesman told i: “It is inaccurate to say we are considering implementing any such measures. Ministers have ruled out any national lockdowns or school closures during the winter admissions crisis. I can’t imagine we’d be as lucky as that ever again.”īut if cases do rise, there is no indication that the UK will return to the mandatory lockdown restrictions in place for much of the Covid pandemic – here’s everything you need to know. He added: “We were incredibly well prepared in that sense. ![]() Professor John Edmunds, an infectious diseases expert at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: “We were actually very lucky with Omicron because we had just started boosting the elderly and vulnerable.” ![]() Guidance for adults who feel ill to wear face masks in public is not mandatory (Photo: PA)Įarly research suggests it is both more infectious than the current dominant variant – Omicron BA.5 and its sublineages such as BQ.1 as well as being better at evading immunity.īut there is no evidence that XBB.1.5 is more severe than the BA.5 strain, so it should not lead to a higher proportion of infections turning serious.Ī leading health expert told i that the arrival of a variant of concern similar to the Omicron strain which arrived last winter would put the UK under “enormous pressure”. ![]()
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