As Omicron variant instances rise, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced tighter virus restrictions in England on Wednesday, including guidance to work from home and required vaccine passports.
At a press conference, Johnson claimed it was “the appropriate and responsible thing to shift to Plan B in England” because the number of Omicron cases was doubling every two to three days.
The government will reintroduce work-at-home advice in England on Monday as part of a slew of measures, according to the prime minister.
He went on to say that the government will make it mandatory to present Covid vaccination passports in England for the first time in a week, while Scotland and Wales’ devolved administrations have already implemented comparable procedures.
According to Johnson, these will be necessary “for access into nightclubs and locations where huge crowds gather.”
He added that the government is making wearing masks a legal necessity in “most public indoor venues, including theatre and cinemas.”
Johnson explained that the Omicron version is spreading far faster than the previously prevalent Delta form, and that “we can’t yet presume Omicron is less severe than earlier variants.”
“We just have to respond today in the way that we are,” he added, adding that the new procedures do not constitute a lockdown and that individuals can continue to hold Christmas parties and children’s festivities like Nativity plays.
The prime minister emphasised the necessity of individuals getting immunizations and booster doses now that they are available.
“The single most important thing each of us can do is get our jabs and, more importantly, get that booster as soon as our turn comes,” he stated.
