Covid-19: Sajid Javid confirms no new restrictions until New Year
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The Government has announced that no new measures will be imposed over the coming week, asking only that people are “cautious”. This comes amid the emergence of the Omicron Covid variant, believed to spread faster but to be less harmful than previous strains.
A record 113,628 Covid cases were reported in England on Christmas Day.
Some have taken to social media to accuse the Prime Minister of acting irresponsibly by not taking Omicron more seriously.
Mike P Williams wrote on Twitter: “The Tories do no give a s**t about people’s wellbeing.
“They’re letting leaving us all mingle over Christmas and New Year in fear of losing more votes, and will deal with the inevitable problems in January.”
A decision not to introduce new restrictions was made earlier today, on Monday, after Mr Johnson reviewed the latest Covid data with top Government advisers.
Following this, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “We look at the data on a daily basis, that hasn’t changed over the Christmas period, but there will be no further measures before the new year.
“We won’t be taking any further measures, of course people should remain cautious as we approach new year celebrations and take a lateral flow test if that makes sense, celebrate outdoors 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 if we do need to take any further measures but nothing more until then, at least.”
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The decision clashes with those made by the UK’s other nations.
In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, table service has been introduced in pubs and attendance numbers at both indoor and outdoor events has been limited.
Many commenters on social media have drawn attention to recent Covid figures which they suggest increase the need for further restrictions.
‘Mark’ wrote: “113,000 cases Christmas Day, 98,500 today… and now you’re going to allow people to mix in large numbers on New Years Eve and then go back to work and school next week.”
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He asked Mr Javid: “Seriously, what planet are you on?!”
Others have taken a far more positive view of the decisions.
Daily Sceptic Editor Toby Young told Express.co.uk: “The lockdown sceptics are winning the argument.
“The longer Mr Johnson delays making a decision, the harder it will be to recall Parliament before the year ends and the less likely it is that any additional restrictions will be imposed.”
Ben Harris added on Twitter: “The right decision.
“The people clamouring for restrictions need to accept the post-vaccine reality.”
The Government has been approached for comment.
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