08/12/2021
Fresh COVID restrictions are being brought in across England after the government implemented its 'Plan B' in response to the emergence of the Omicron variant.
In September the government set out its plan for tackling coronavirus over the winter period, with a set of 'Plan B' measures to prevent the NHS "coming under unsustainable pressure".
Speaking at a Downing Street news briefing on 8 December, Boris Johnson said it was now the "proportionate and responsible thing to move to Plan B".
"It's become increasingly clear that Omicron is growing much faster than the previous Delta variant," the prime minister said.
"We can't yet assume that Omicron is less severe… and it could lead to a big to a big increase in hospitalisations and sadly deaths."
Those changes, which have now been expanded in light of the variant, are:
Reintroducing guidance to work from home, if you can, from 13 December
Legally mandating face masks in "most public indoor venues", including theatres and cinemas from 10 December, with exceptions "where it's not practical, including while eating, drinking, exercising or singing"
NHS COVID passes for nightclubs, unseated indoor venues with more than 500 people, unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people, and any venue with more than 10,000 people
Daily testing for people identified as a contact of a coronavirus case - with isolation required only for people who test positive.
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Source: https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-what-is-plan-b-and-why-are-ministers-considering-more-restrictions-12489793
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