Elsewhere, Ireland has already toughened its stance, and there is evidence shoppers are staying away from the high street because of the spread of Omicron.
Here are the key headlines affecting travel on Monday 20 December.
Johnson to meet advisors on Tuesday
Boris Johnson is set to have urgent meetings tomorrow with scientists and his top team, days after assuring the public the government will not “cancel” Christmas. Measures on the table include a ban on households mixing and the closure of indoor hospitality venues and non-essential shops within days. Health secretary Sajid Javid has warned there are “no guarantees” Christmas gatherings will be possible. (Daily Mirror)
New restrictions to be introduced ‘in days’
Health secretary Sajid Javid has made clear fresh Covid restrictions could be imposed before Christmas to slow the spread of the Omicron variant. Government insiders expect an announcement about whether social mixing will be curtailed before the festive period – potentially including a cap on the number of families that can meet, or even hospitality closures. (The Guardian)
Ministers resist pre-Christmas lockdown
Rishi Sunak is one of at least 10 ministers resisting calls by scientific advisers for new coronavirus restrictions to be introduced before Christmas by questioning the accuracy of official modelling. Sajid Javid, the health secretary, yesterday refused to rule out a “circuit breaker” that would ban household mixing and said the government might need to act before the data was clear. (The Times)
New restrictions in Ireland
New restrictions aimed at curbing the Omicron variant have come into force in Ireland and will last until 30 January. All restaurants and bars, excluding takeaways and delivery services, must now close at 8pm. There are also limits on attendance at indoor and outdoor events and restricted movement advice for all close contacts of Covid cases has been enhanced. (Sky News)
High street footfall is down
UK shoppers chose to avoid high streets and city centres on the crucial weekend just before Christmas, amid fears over the Omicron Covid-19 variant. The number of people on high streets fell by 5.9% on Sunday but rose 4.8% at retail parks week-on-week, retail analysis firm Springboard said. (BBC News)
Hospitality demands government support
More than 100 UK destinations and 100,000 retail, hospitality and leisure businesses have written to the prime minister today calling for a #BusinessBooster and urgent assurances financial support will be provided to sectors affected by Plan B measures. (City AM)
Brexit negotiations to be taken on by Liz Truss
Foreign secretary Liz Truss has been tasked with overseeing the UK’s relations with the EU after Brexit minister Lord David Frost resigned on Saturday evening, citing worries over the government’s “direction of travel”. (Financial Times)
