Dark Mode
Wednesday, 11 December 2024
Logo
UK PM says Britain will move to 'Plan B' restrictions to combat rapid spread of Omicron
Corona virus-UK combating Corona virus/Pixabay

The Xinhua reported that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday said, Britain will move to "Plan B" restrictions to combat the rapid spread of the Omicron variant this winter.


At a Downing Street press conference on Wednesday evening, the prime minister asked people to work from home when possible from Monday and that face masks would be a legal requirement in "most public indoor" areas such as theatres and cinemas from Friday.




COVID-19-Virus/Pixabay COVID-19-Virus/Pixabay

Proof of two vaccine doses or a negative COVID-19 test will be necessary for those wanting to enter nightclubs and large venues from next week, Johnson said, adding that people who are contacts of Omicron cases could face daily testing instead of undergoing a period of isolation.


Read more: Indian farmers protesting against controversial farm laws call off their year-long action


However, he said the new measures were "not a lockdown" and people "should not" cancel Christmas parties or Nativity plays, and nightclubs will remain open.


According to the British government: "Plan B" was set out in September and will help to tackle the new variant and reduce the chances of the National Health Service coming under unsustainable pressure.


Read more: Over half Iran’s fleet of civilian aircraft is grounded due to a lack of spare parts


The most recent data suggest that Omicron has a very high growth rate and is spreading rapidly. Another 131 cases of the Omicron variant have been reported in Britain, taking the total to 568, the UK Health Security Agency said Wednesday, noting that the doubling time could be as little as two-and-a-half days to three days.


Source: xinhua