(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – Christmas will go ahead without any curbs on socialising, Boris Johnson has confirmed, prompting warnings this could lead to tougher measures later despite tentative signs that cases have begun to plateau.
The prime minister said he understood that families across England needed certainty to press ahead with Christmas plans but warned curbs could still be imposed after 25 December because of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.
From today, the Covid self-isolation period in England will be cut from 10 days to seven for vaccinated and unvaccinated people in a move that could also help save Christmas for tens of thousands of people if they get the all-clear from lateral flow tests on days six and seven, the government announced. However, those who are not fully vaccinated will still have to isolate for the full 10 days if they are a close contact of someone who has tested positive.
