Coronavirus rules will change again from Monday (December 13th) as the Prime Minister announced the transition to “Plan B” measures.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced this at a press conference on Wednesday, just hours after his adviser Allegra Stratton resigned over the dispute over the Downing Street Christmas party last year.
What do the new measures mean?
Read more about the top stories from across Cheshire here.
– What’s in Plan B?
England’s new measures include wearing face masks wider, returning to work from home and making the use of Covid passports mandatory for access to large venues.
– What are the new rules for masks?
Starting Friday, face covering will be mandatory in most indoor public spaces including cinemas, theaters, and places of worship, but not in gyms, bars, or restaurants.
Masks are already required in public transport and in shops.
– How about working from home?
Starting Monday, those who can work from home are advised to do so. However, the prime minister said Christmas parties and school crib plays should continue to take place.
– Do I have to show a Covid Pass to enter a nightclub?
Starting Wednesday, the NHS Covid Pass will be mandatory in the NHS app for entry to clubs and other large gatherings – classified as indoor events with 500 or more people, unseated outdoor events with more than 4,000, and any event with a crowd of more than 10,000.
The mask rules have been expanded to combat the Omicron variant, which is much more portable than previous variants.
Masks are required in places like Storyhouse, Chester
(Image: Cheshire Live)
In public halls, including cinemas, theaters and places of worship, face covering is mandatory from last Friday. However, they will not be required in pubs or restaurants.
The Prime Minister warned it was clear the new strain was “growing much faster” than Delta, and Omicron cases could double every two or three days as it tightened England’s rules.
While he said Christmas parties and nativity scenes could be happening, he urged people “to exercise due caution” and get their booster jabs when he was last seen over allegations of an illegal celebratory party at # 10 Year came under pressure.
The NHS Covid Pass, which is available with two vaccines or a negative lateral flow test, will be available from Thursday (Sept.
But he was forced to insist that the public understand the “vital importance” of the measures when at the hastily arranged press conference on Downing Street he wondered how to accept his rules in the face of anger over allegations that employees are making Broke Covid rules at a party in December 18 last year.
(Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
Mr Johnson added, “The best way to ensure we all have a normal Christmas holiday as possible is to continue with Plan B, even if it may be irritating that it isn’t a lockdown.
“We don’t want nativity plays to be canceled. We think it’s okay to continue with Christmas parties right now, but of course everyone should exercise due caution.”
The prime minister denied suspicions that he was making the announcement to divert attention from the series and the leaked video showing No. 10 staff laughing at restrictions on the alleged party, which on Wednesday saw government adviser Allegra Stratton resign forced.
“Imagine the counterfactual, say colleagues or people say we are somehow making this announcement to coincide with events in politics. Imagine if this move were delayed due to political events of one kind or another, what would people say? then? You need to act to protect public health when you have clear evidence, ”he said.