Boris will NOT announce any lockdown restrictions before Christmas, as new data shows Omicron IS weaker

BORIS Johnson will not announce any lockdown restrictions before Christmas Day – as new data shows the Omicron variant IS weaker.

Downing Street was spurred on by new glimmers of hope after it emerged the mutant strain is less lethal and powerless against jabs.


Two bombshell UK studies tonight revealed Omicron appears half as likely to put people in hospital as the Delta variant.

The findings, announced by Professor Neil Ferguson – dubbed Prof Lockdown – encouraged the PM to delay any announcements of potential restrictions.

He said vaccines remain our best defence against Covid, while those who have previously been infected will also have some immunity.

But the PM confirmed that just two jabs are not enough to fight the new mutant strain saying: “The most important thing we can all do is to get a jab.”

Despite the good news, Wales and Northern Ireland have been plunged into further restrictions from Boxing Day – with the PM urged not to follow down that path for England just yet.

Mr Johnson said: “While much about this new variant remains uncertain, we do know that two jabs does not give you enough protection against catching Omicron.

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“You need that booster to bolster your immune system and to protect yourself and your family."

His clarion call makes it more vital than ever for vaccine volunteers to sign up to The Sun's Jabs Army campaign.

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Brits have been warned not to make plans for New Year's Eve quite yet – afterdaily confirmed cases passed the 100,000 total for the first time in the pandemic.

Of those, 13,581 cases were of the Omicron strain.

Mr Johnson added: “This Christmas, I urge Sun readers and everyone across the UK to take extra special care to protect yourselves and your families against Covid.

“The Omicron variant continues to surge across the country faster than anything we have seen before.

“So please keep following the guidance, remembering to wear a mask when needed, open the windows for ventilation, and take a test before visiting your nearest and dearest, particularly if they are elderly or vulnerable.”

But on the back of the good data rising star Tory MP Greg Smith told The Sun:

“Wales and Scotland have completely jumped the gun with positive data coming out of South Africa and London.

“We need to keep putting our eggs in the vaccine basket.

We need to keep putting our eggs in the vaccine basket.

“I really hope the PM will not make any rushed decisions now and hold off until after Christmas before even considering any further measures.”

Revellers were today warned against sending New Year's Eve invites just yet in case there is a need for party-pooping restrictions.

Millions are desperate to end 2021 with a big blow-out and are praying the PM doesn't drop bombshell circuit-breaker curbs.

But they were kept in limbo as Care Minister Gillian Keegan told them not to bank on firm arrangements.

She said: "There is uncertainty. So if you can't change your plans quickly, then maybe think about it.

"We can't predict what the data is going to tell us before we've got the data."

The Health Secretary Sajid Javid refused to rule out further restrictions again yesterday, instead just saying: “The best advice is continue to remain cautious… no new restrictions before Christmas and beyond that we will just keep the situation under review.”

The PM will continue pouring over key hospital data that could make or break his decision to pull the trigger on a post-Christmas tightening after the weekend.

If the NHS risks being swamped with Omicron he could catapult the country back to Step 2 measures like outdoor pints.

But Ms Keegan said evidence of Omicron's severity was the "missing piece" of information Ministers had been waiting for.

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford today turned the screw on Boris by unveiling a Boxing Day toughening of the rules.

The hated Rule of Six will return for pubs, restaurants and cinemas in Wales and large events will be banned.

Labour's Drakeford has been ridiculed for daft rules which fine £60 people for going to the office – but not the pub.

The First Minister also took a pop shot at the PM, accusing him of dithering and claimed he was hostage to Cabinet concerns about more restrictions.

OMI-NOUS

Taking a swing at the press conference he blasted: "They are paralysed by their internal divisions and are unable to act on it."

Dressing down the PM, Mr Drakeford insisted they both had the same data – but only one of them had acted.

He said: "I heard the Prime Minister earlier this week in an interview say the position had never been more urgent.

"And asked what he was going to do about it, he said that he was doing nothing. Well, that would not be acceptable to me."

Meanwhile Tony Blair last night rowed back from branding those who have not had a jab "irresponsible idiots" who are almost certainly going to catch Covid.

Lashing out at refuseniks who turned down their life-saving jabs, the ex-PM insisted they were unprotected and were set to get the new super-contagious variant ripping through Britain.

And Brits should gear up for a fourth jab next year to keep their immunity up, he stressed.

But last night he said he had been too “undiplomatic” in his language following a backlash.




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