Prime Minister Announces 'Plan B'

In a Statement this evening, the Prime Minister announces that ‘Plan B’ would be implemented in England.

Following the emergence of the Omicron variant of the Covid19 virus and evidence of growing cases in the UK, the Prime Minister announced:

“we know the remorseless logic of exponential growth could lead to a big rise in hospitalisations, and therefore sadly in deaths.

And that is why it is now the proportionate and responsible thing to move to Plan B in England”

The Prime Minister announced the following steps would be instituted as part of the plan:

• The Government will reintroduce guidance to work from home with effect from Monday 13th December.
• From Friday 10th December, the Government will extend the legal requirement to wear a face mask to most public indoor venues, including theatres and cinemas, with exemptions where it is not practical, such as when eating, drinking, exercising or singing.

Finally, subject to Parliamentary approval the Government aim to make the NHS Covid Pass mandatory for entry into nightclubs (not yet defined), and venues where large crowds gather including 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.

We await sight of the draft Regulations and any accompanying guidance which should be published soon. As the new face mask requirements and ‘Covid Pass’ requirements will take place on differenT dates, multiple Regulations can be expected.

Although the Government ARE pursuing an accelerated booster campaign, the NHS Covid Pass will continue to be obtained by persons with two doses. The Prime Minister stated that the criteria will be kept “under review as the boosters roll out”.

Following advice the Government have indicated a negative lateral flow test will also be sufficient.

The aim is for this final measure to come into force on 15th December (subject to Parliamentary approval).

We shall keep you updated.