There are calls for pubs and restaurants to stop indoor service with immediate effect
A group of experts have called for an immediate 10-day lockdown to halt the spread of the covid Omicron variant.
Independent SAGE, the equivalent of the official Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies has advised that pubs and restaurants close for inside service with immediate effect.
The calls come as concern continues to grow over the staggering spread of Omicron, with the UK having registered record-breaking daily infection figure in the past two days.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “We’re not cancelling events, we’re not closing hospitality, we’re not cancelling people’s parties or their ability to mix.
“What we are saying is think carefully before you go.”
But in an “emergency statement” Indie SAGE called for “limited mixing” from Christmas Day to December 28.
The group said: “The situation is so urgent we must take emergency action now and that means it is imperative to reduce contacts.
“Advice is no longer enough since it does not convey the urgency of the situation.”
We are calling for an immediate short circuit break until 24th Dec to protect NHS & enable safer mixing over Xmas (25-28 December).
Reassess over Xmas to see what is needed then, when much more info available. Situation changing so fast, can't plan far ahead. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/3CgtdlpiPi
— Prof. Christina Pagel (@chrischirp) December 15, 2021
Professor Chris Whitty has already urged people to think about which social interactions they want to “prioritise.”
Meanwhile, Dr Jenny Harries, the chief executive of the UK Healthy Security Agency (UKHSA), has said that Omicron is “probably the most significant threat we’ve had since the start of the pandemic,” warning that there will be a “staggering” number of covid-19 cases over the coming days.
Related links:
- Why you might still have Omicron even if you have a negative lateral flow test
- If you catch covid from today you’ll have to isolate for Xmas – here are the symptoms to watch out for
- Tory MP claims ‘carnage’ on UK roads is killing more than Covid – spoiler: he’s wrong
