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| Covid-19: Javid defends Plan B rule changes amid No 10 party row | Covid-19: Javid defends Plan B rule changes amid No 10 party row |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| New Covid rules in England will buy time against the Omicron variant amid a "credible risk" of a crisis in the NHS, Health Secretary Sajid Javid says. | |
| The restrictions include masks in most public places, Covid passes for some venues and work from home guidance. | |
| Mr Javid denied the government had lost credibility by breaking rules over parties at Downing Street. | Mr Javid denied the government had lost credibility by breaking rules over parties at Downing Street. |
| Ministers face a growing backlash from Tory MPs over the restrictions. | Ministers face a growing backlash from Tory MPs over the restrictions. |
| One senior Conservative MP heckled the health secretary in the Commons as he announced the changes, shouting for him to "resign". | One senior Conservative MP heckled the health secretary in the Commons as he announced the changes, shouting for him to "resign". |
| That MP, William Wragg, had earlier questioned Mr Johnson over the timing of the Plan B announcement, suggesting it was a diversion from allegations over Downing Street parties during restrictions last year. | That MP, William Wragg, had earlier questioned Mr Johnson over the timing of the Plan B announcement, suggesting it was a diversion from allegations over Downing Street parties during restrictions last year. |
| Former Tory chief whip Mark Harper added: "Why should people at home listening to the prime minster and the secretary of state do things that people working in No 10 Downing Street are not prepared to do?" | Former Tory chief whip Mark Harper added: "Why should people at home listening to the prime minster and the secretary of state do things that people working in No 10 Downing Street are not prepared to do?" |
| And Conservative backbencher John Redwood said many Tory MPs "do not think a good case has been made" for the new measures. | And Conservative backbencher John Redwood said many Tory MPs "do not think a good case has been made" for the new measures. |
| While a substantial rebellion is expected when the plans come to a vote in the Commons next week, they are likely to pass with support from Labour. | While a substantial rebellion is expected when the plans come to a vote in the Commons next week, they are likely to pass with support from Labour. |
| Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner told BBC Breakfast she welcomed the measures so "people can have a safer Christmas", but said the government should have acted sooner and had still not addressed a lack of ventilation in schools and inadequate sick pay for millions. | Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner told BBC Breakfast she welcomed the measures so "people can have a safer Christmas", but said the government should have acted sooner and had still not addressed a lack of ventilation in schools and inadequate sick pay for millions. |
| 'Proportionate' | 'Proportionate' |
| Responding to the heckles, Mr Javid told BBC Breakfast: "My job is to do the right thing, led by the evidence." | Responding to the heckles, Mr Javid told BBC Breakfast: "My job is to do the right thing, led by the evidence." |
| He said the idea that the NHS might be "completely overwhelmed", with people unable to get care following heart attacks or traffic accidents, was "a credible risk and why we acted as we did". | He said the idea that the NHS might be "completely overwhelmed", with people unable to get care following heart attacks or traffic accidents, was "a credible risk and why we acted as we did". |
| The health secretary said the evidence was that Omicron was doubling every 2.5 or three days, which could mean a million infections by the end of the month. | The health secretary said the evidence was that Omicron was doubling every 2.5 or three days, which could mean a million infections by the end of the month. |
| He rejected the suggestion that people would not listen to the government over new restrictions because of anger over parties held at Downing Street when restrictions were in place last year, saying he accepted "assurances that rules were not broken" and that the party "didn't take place". | He rejected the suggestion that people would not listen to the government over new restrictions because of anger over parties held at Downing Street when restrictions were in place last year, saying he accepted "assurances that rules were not broken" and that the party "didn't take place". |
| At a Downing Street briefing on Wednesday, the prime minister described the new rules as "proportionate and responsible" after the emergence of the Omicron virus variant. | At a Downing Street briefing on Wednesday, the prime minister described the new rules as "proportionate and responsible" after the emergence of the Omicron virus variant. |
| He said early indications suggested the new variant "could lead to a big rise in hospitalisations and therefore sadly in deaths" - though a lot is still unknown. | He said early indications suggested the new variant "could lead to a big rise in hospitalisations and therefore sadly in deaths" - though a lot is still unknown. |
| Some 568 confirmed Omicron cases have so far been identified in the UK. | Some 568 confirmed Omicron cases have so far been identified in the UK. |
| Under the new rules: | Under the new rules: |
| From Friday, face masks will be required in more public settings - including theatres and cinemas | From Friday, face masks will be required in more public settings - including theatres and cinemas |
| From Monday, people will be asked to work from home where possible | From Monday, people will be asked to work from home where possible |
| From Wednesday, the NHS Covid Pass - proving vaccination status or a negative lateral flow test - will also be required for visitors to nightclubs, indoor unseated venues with more than 500 people, unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people and any event with more than 10,000 people | From Wednesday, the NHS Covid Pass - proving vaccination status or a negative lateral flow test - will also be required for visitors to nightclubs, indoor unseated venues with more than 500 people, unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people and any event with more than 10,000 people |
| Daily testing will also replace self-isolation for people who come into contact with an infected person, once it is clear booster jabs work against the Omicron variant and enough people have received them | Daily testing will also replace self-isolation for people who come into contact with an infected person, once it is clear booster jabs work against the Omicron variant and enough people have received them |
| Mr Johnson said Christmas parties and nativity plays should still go ahead - as long as the guidance is followed. | Mr Johnson said Christmas parties and nativity plays should still go ahead - as long as the guidance is followed. |
| Ministers have repeatedly said there are no plans for another lockdown in England. "It's not a lockdown, it's Plan B," Mr Johnson said on Wednesday. | Ministers have repeatedly said there are no plans for another lockdown in England. "It's not a lockdown, it's Plan B," Mr Johnson said on Wednesday. |
| New curbs and a new revolt | New curbs and a new revolt |
| New restrictions are on the way - but so too is a new revolt in Conservative ranks at Westminster. | New restrictions are on the way - but so too is a new revolt in Conservative ranks at Westminster. |
| Privately, and in some cases publicly, MPs questioned the timing of the prime minister's news conference. | Privately, and in some cases publicly, MPs questioned the timing of the prime minister's news conference. |
| As questions persisted about what went on behind Downing Street's black door a year ago, it seemed to some of Boris Johnson's Conservative colleagues that he was trying to divert attention towards what will happen this Christmas, instead of what happened last Christmas inside No 10. | As questions persisted about what went on behind Downing Street's black door a year ago, it seemed to some of Boris Johnson's Conservative colleagues that he was trying to divert attention towards what will happen this Christmas, instead of what happened last Christmas inside No 10. |
| But the PM insisted that the increased transmissibility of Omicron meant he had to act - and he could no longer wait for the data he had previously said was needed on how serious the threat from the new variant was. | But the PM insisted that the increased transmissibility of Omicron meant he had to act - and he could no longer wait for the data he had previously said was needed on how serious the threat from the new variant was. |
| Other nations of the UK - which are in charge of their own Covid rules - have already brought in stricter restrictions similar to Plan B. | Other nations of the UK - which are in charge of their own Covid rules - have already brought in stricter restrictions similar to Plan B. |
| People in Wales and Scotland have already been told to work from home where possible and Northern Ireland recently strengthened its advice. | People in Wales and Scotland have already been told to work from home where possible and Northern Ireland recently strengthened its advice. |
| Covid passes are also currently required for venues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. | Covid passes are also currently required for venues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. |
| In England, people will be exempt from showing their Covid passport when attending religious worship, weddings and funerals. | In England, people will be exempt from showing their Covid passport when attending religious worship, weddings and funerals. |
| What are the Plan B rules? | What are the Plan B rules? |
| What's the new working from home guidance? | What's the new working from home guidance? |
| Where will I need a Covid passport and how do I get one? | Where will I need a Covid passport and how do I get one? |
| Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged people to follow the rules. | Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged people to follow the rules. |
| She said: "Even if you feel angry with a politician just now, please remember just how important compliance is for the health and safety of you, your loved ones and the country." | She said: "Even if you feel angry with a politician just now, please remember just how important compliance is for the health and safety of you, your loved ones and the country." |
| Speaking alongside Mr Johnson on Wednesday, Sir Patrick Vallance - the government's chief scientific adviser - also urged people to comply. "It only works if we all do it," he said. | Speaking alongside Mr Johnson on Wednesday, Sir Patrick Vallance - the government's chief scientific adviser - also urged people to comply. "It only works if we all do it," he said. |
| On Wednesday, another 51,342 confirmed cases of Covid were recorded and a further 161 deaths reported within 28 days of a positive test. | On Wednesday, another 51,342 confirmed cases of Covid were recorded and a further 161 deaths reported within 28 days of a positive test. |
| How big a threat is Omicron? | How big a threat is Omicron? |
| Here are two big questions: How fast can Omicron spread? And how sick will it make you? | Here are two big questions: How fast can Omicron spread? And how sick will it make you? |
| Understand those and you understand the threat and the challenge posed by Omicron. | Understand those and you understand the threat and the challenge posed by Omicron. |
| Scientists around the world are now making the first stabs at answering those questions and giving us hints of what's in store. | Scientists around the world are now making the first stabs at answering those questions and giving us hints of what's in store. |
| Immunity is critical - Omicron has not rewound the clock to the start of the pandemic, but uncertainty clouds everything and definitive answers could be weeks away. | Immunity is critical - Omicron has not rewound the clock to the start of the pandemic, but uncertainty clouds everything and definitive answers could be weeks away. |
| Read more from James. | Read more from James. |
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| Ros Atkins on... the No 10 Christmas party fallout | Ros Atkins on... the No 10 Christmas party fallout |
| During a dramatic day at Westminster, Mr Johnson apologised "unreservedly" after senior aides were caught on camera joking about a party held at Downing Street during restrictions on 18 December last year. | During a dramatic day at Westminster, Mr Johnson apologised "unreservedly" after senior aides were caught on camera joking about a party held at Downing Street during restrictions on 18 December last year. |
| Police will not investigate Downing Street party | Police will not investigate Downing Street party |
| How will Plan B affect the economy? | How will Plan B affect the economy? |
| Covid passports 'devastating' for nightclubs | Covid passports 'devastating' for nightclubs |
| One of the aides, Allegra Stratton, issued a tearful resignation statement and apologised for her part in the video, filmed days after the party and published this week by ITV News. | One of the aides, Allegra Stratton, issued a tearful resignation statement and apologised for her part in the video, filmed days after the party and published this week by ITV News. |
| The Metropolitan Police has said it will not investigate the 18 December party due "an absence of evidence". | The Metropolitan Police has said it will not investigate the 18 December party due "an absence of evidence". |
| But the BBC has been told of two further parties at Downing Street - at least one of which has been denied by No 10 - as well as a party by Conservative staff in Westminster, which resulted in employees being disciplined. | But the BBC has been told of two further parties at Downing Street - at least one of which has been denied by No 10 - as well as a party by Conservative staff in Westminster, which resulted in employees being disciplined. |
| How will the new Covid rules in England affect you or your business? Get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | How will the new Covid rules in England affect you or your business? Get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways: |
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| THE CHRISTMAS FOOD TRENDS YOU NEED: From vegan Wellingtons to deluxe macaroni cheese | THE CHRISTMAS FOOD TRENDS YOU NEED: From vegan Wellingtons to deluxe macaroni cheese |
| WINTER WALKS: Join Reverend Kate Bottley as she walks over the ruins of Jervaulx Abbey | WINTER WALKS: Join Reverend Kate Bottley as she walks over the ruins of Jervaulx Abbey |