Care homes could be slapped with fresh restrictions in the run up to Christmas and masks and vaccine passports made compulsory in pubs and restaurants under a tougher ‘Plan C’ being considered by ministers. MailOnline has more.
Controversial vaccine passports could also be extended to more venues under the suite of measures being floated within Downing Street if the Omicron super variant proves to be as dangerous as scientists fear.
A Government source said it was “very likely” care home residents could be banned from seeing more than three visitors over Christmas, with the hopes of preventing another explosive outbreak in the sector.
But campaign groups warned the plans could be “devastating” with many residents forced to pick family members on what could be their last Christmas.
Other curbs include having to ‘check in’ with the NHS Covid app again to go to a pub or restaurant, using face masks in all indoor spaces, and having to show a vaccine passport at even more venues.
The first part of the Government’s Plan B came into force today with the introduction of compulsory face masks in indoor settings such as theatres, cinemas and churches.
New work-from-home guidance will come into effect on Monday, and MPs will vote the next day on the introduction of vaccine passports for nightclubs and large venues.
Labour said today it was prepared to back the Plan B measures despite a suggestion that many opposition MPs could vote against the plans in protest against ongoing accusations that No10 held a number of lockdown-breaking parties last winter.
Worth reading in full.
Our best hope now is that the Government’s ‘Plan B’ proposals are defeated in the House of Commons next week. But if that is the final straw for Boris and he resigns, the risk is that his temporary successor might be a full-on lockdown zealot.
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