UK to have tighter restrictions as Omicron cases rise by 12k in a day

The UK Cabinet is on Monday holding talks to consider options for tougher lockdown restrictions as the country recorded another daily high of Omicron cases at 12133The total number of confirmed Omicron cases in the UK stands at 37101 taking the overall Covid19 infections tally to 82886 on Sunday A further 45 Covidrelated deaths have been reported in people who died within 28 days of a positive coronavirus testI just cant make hard fast guarantees said UK Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab when asked if tougher lockdown measures are expectedI think we will have a much better Christmas than last year because of the vaccination level both the overall vaccination level and particularly the impact of the booster campaign People will need to be careful and cautious he saidAccording to UK media reports civil servants have produced three options for ministers to consider as future Covid19 measures and they range in severity from stricter guidance on households mixing to early closures of shops and restaurants to limit gatheringsAlso Read 161 Omicron cases reported in India Union Health Minister Mansukh MandaviyaMinisters are yet to decide between the options with reports that UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak is among those resisting strict lockdown measures at a time when businesses are already struggling to cope with cancellations and staff absences at what is usually a lucrative Christmas periodThe governments scientific advisers however want more restrictions and have suggested reducing the size of groups that can meet and closing venues where there is a high risk of transmission There are also fears over staff absences caused by the Omicron surge with some National Health Service NHS trusts already having to postpone nonessential workIt comes as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains under pressure of his own with new images published by The Guardian of what looks like a wine and cheese party in the garden of 10 Downing Street in May 2020 when strict rules were in place on different households mixingDowning Street has defended the image as a work meeting but it comes in the wake of an ongoing investigation into other such gatherings which critics say undermine public trust as they appear in breach of lockdown restrictions in place last yearOpposition Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has accused Boris Johnson of being asleep at the wheel and demanded clarity about how Christmas will look as soon as possibleWe need to tackle the spread of Omicron support businesses and protect public services Boris Johnson is too weak to provide the leadership our country needs he said on TwitterCurrent Plan B rules for England include Covid19 vaccine passes for events face masks in most indoor settings and people being urged to work from home if they can Other parts of the United Kingdom have similar rules with Scotland asking people to limit social contact to three households at a time in the runup to Christmas and Wales closing nightclubs from December 27This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever