Boris Johnson’s Covid plan B measures approved by Commons – despite major rebellion from Tory MPs
Ministers are “flying blind” when it comes to the scale of the omicron wave due to a lack of Covid-19 tests, The Independent has been told.
Senior sources from across Whitehall said that disruption to the supply of PCR tests and rapid lateral flow devices – after a policy of daily tests for coronavirus contacts was announced – would leave decision-makers lacking vital data.
Meanwhile, “plan B” measures proposed by Boris Johnson are set to kick in after the House of Commons approved them on Tuesday – though the prime minister needed Labour’s help to pass them amid a huge Tory rebellion.
This means that in England mightclubs and large venues must check the Covid-19 status of visitors over 18, face coverings are mandatory in most indoor public venues and on public transport, and the message to work from home where possible has returned.
Scotland has also stepped up guidance in the fight against Covid, with Nicola Sturgeon urging the public to limit their socialising to three households before and after Christmas.
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Jon Sharman15 December 2021 09:25
Explained: What is a vaccine passport?
The last phase of the UK government’s current “plan B” social restrictions for England to tackle the spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus is due to come into effect on Wednesday when vaccine passports are introduced, writes Joe Sommerlad.
Following the return of mandatory mask-wearing in shops, cinemas, theatres and places of worship and on public transport and orders to work from home, members of the public will, from 15 December, be required to produce an NHS Covid Pass in exchange for entry to crowded venues.
Jon Sharman15 December 2021 09:15
Shaun Bailey did ‘absolutely the right thing’ by resigning from London Assembly: Shapps
Shaun Bailey did ‘absolutely the right thing’ by resigning from London Assembly: Shapps
Jon Sharman15 December 2021 08:56
PM’s authority not shaken by humiliating Tory rebellion, Shapps insists
Boris Johnson’s authority has not been undermined by the Tory revolt over Covid passes, according to a cabinet minister.
Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, told LBC this morning: “In terms of his authority, I saw the prime minister on Sunday night asking the country to get the booster jab and yesterday walked past huge queues around the block of people responding to the prime minister’s plea.
“Having been the person to get this country first of all jabbed ahead of every other major economy and now booster jabbed ahead of every other country, comes down personally to the authority of the prime minister.”
Jon Sharman15 December 2021 08:46
Full story: Parliament will be recalled over Christmas if any further Covid restrictions needed, Shapps says
Parliament will be recalled if there is a need for any further Covid restrictions over the Christmas holidays, Grant Shapps has insisted.
After Boris Johnson suffered a major rebellion from almost 100 Conservative MPs, the transport secretary said, however, that he hoped the “plan B” measures – approved last night – will “see us through to the New Year”, writes Ashley Cowburn.
Jon Sharman15 December 2021 08:36
How will red list removal affect those in quarantine hotels?
Grant Shapps appears to have also promised news on what the scrapping of the travel red list will mean for those in quarantine hotels later today:
Jon Sharman15 December 2021 08:23
BREAKING: Parliament will be recalled over Christmas if any further Covid restrictions needed, Shapps says
Zoe Tidman15 December 2021 08:12
Three jabs for travel?
The travel secretary also told Sky News it is “inevitable” three Covid jabs will become a requirement for travel abroad:
Zoe Tidman15 December 2021 08:10
Party at CCHQ during London’s Tier 2 measures
Late yesterday, images emerged of a party at the Conservative Campaign Headquarters while London was in Tier 2 restrictions.
A Cabinet minister said this morning Shaun Bailey, a former Tory London mayoral candidate, did the right thing by resigning from the London assembly after being seen in the picture.
Zoe Tidman15 December 2021 07:57
Union brands mandatory vaccination for NHS staff ‘heavy-handed’
A trade union has hit out at new legislation imposing mandatory vaccines for NHS and non-residential social care staff, calling the move “heavy-handed”.
Rehana Azam, the general secretary of GMB, said: “We are opposed to legally enforced medical procedures as a condition of employment.”
She added: ”It’s heavy-handed and will deepen the health service’s devastating staff black hole.”
The general secretary said GMB has “encouraged take up of the vaccine and booster jabs” but urged the government to “look beyond strong-arm tactics”.
Zoe Tidman15 December 2021 07:31
Kaynak: briturkish.com