Reports emerging today suggest that Boris Johnson is currently weighting up three different sets of coronavirus restrictions.
According to The Telegraph, these range from another full-on lockdown to advice suggesting people limit their social contact over the holidays.
The government is holding an emergency cabinet meeting this afternoon to discuss a path forward as Omicron cases rise following a record-breaking weekend for new Covid-10 cases.
There are reportedly three different sets of restrictions on the table, which could be implemented before Christmas Day.
The lowest level of these would see the Government advising people to limit their social contacts, especially indoors, but with no legal enforcement.
A second, stricter option would mean the reintroduction of a curfew as well as enforced restrictions on indoor mixing.
The second proposal puts forward an 8pm curfew for pubs and restaurants, plus the return of social distancing measures.
Option three would be a full lockdown, with The Times reporting a two-week-long ‘circuit breaker’ is being considered.
It would mean a ban on indoor mixing unless for work purposes, and pubs and restaurants forced to return to outdoor-only operating for the fortnight… in the middle of winter.
The Sunday Times has reported that restrictions are expected to be announced on Boxing Day, and come into force on December 27.
But speaking on the Andrew Marr Show yesterday, Health Secretary Sajid Javid refused to rule out that more restrictions may need to be introduced before Christmas.
There were 82,886 new confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK yesterday.
A major incident has now been declared in London by its Mayor Sadiq Khan, where there is a huge surge in cases.
A state of emergency was announced in the capital over the weekend, with Khan appearing on the final Andrew Marr show yesterday to warn that 30,000 new Covid-19 cases had been reported over the weekend and over 130,000 in the last seven days.
Khan said that the introduction of new restrictions was “inevitable” and warned against the potential collapse of the NHS during his appearance on the show.
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