UNDER-FIRE Prime Minister Boris Johnson has revealed working from home and tighter rules on facemasks and entry to venues will be introduced in the fight against the rise of the Omicron Covid variant.
On a day in which Downing Street revealed an inquiry would take place into a party which took place on December 18 following a leaked video in which aides were caught laughing and joking about, Mr Johnson said the tightening of restrictions was a ‘proportionate and responsible’ response.
The PM said the first step was to reintroduce the guidance to work from home, which will come in from Monday in England.
“By reducing your contacts in the workplace you will slow transmission,” he said.
From Friday (December 10) the legal requirement to wear a face mask will be extended in England to most indoor public venues, such as cinemas and theatres – although there will be exemptions for things such as eating.
From next Wednesday (December 15) Covid passes will become mandatory for nightclubs and venues where large crowds gather in England.
This will include unseated indoor venues with more than 500 people, unseated outdoor venues with more than 5,000 people and any venue with more than 10,000 people.
While two doses will be sufficient for a Covid pass according to the PM, this will be kept under review as the booster jobs are rolled out.
For those without smart phones, a negative lateral flow test will also be acceptable
“We must be humble in the face of this virus,” Mr Johnson added.
The Prime Minister said as soon as it becomes clear that boosters are capable of holding the Omicron variant ‘then we will be able to move forward as before’
