Sajid Javid has not ruled out introducing new coronavirus restrictions before Christmas in a blow for festivities across the capital.
Due to the new Omicron variant of the virus, the Health Secretary said that there were “no guarantees” when he was asked about tougher restrictions to fight coronavirus.
He insisted that all restrictions would be based on data and that he is discussing the data on an “almost on an hourly basis” with the UK’s top scientists.
READ MORE: Sadiq Khan warns more restrictions inevitable and urges Londoners to limit NYE parties
Last night government scientists warned hospitalisations could reach 3,000 per day in the next few weeks if tougher restrictions are not introduced.
Mr Javid said the analysis from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) was “sobering” and called on Brits to be cautious.
But he maintained the Tory party line, insisting people are still free to choose whether they go to their Christmas parties or not.
On The Andrew Marr Show , Mr Javid did not rule out a circuit breaker or tougher restrictions.
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He said: “There are no guarantees in this pandemic, I don’t think. At this point, we just have to keep everything under review.”
And earlier, speaking on Sky News’ Trevor Philips, he insisted that “we will do what is necessary, but it’s got to be backed up by the data”.
If new restrictions were to be passed then parliament would have to be recalled.
Professor Sir Mark Walport, a Sage member, said this is the second Christmas which could be “significantly ruined” for people.
He told Sky News: “We need to act to hold down the rate of hospital admissions, reduce the pressure on the workforce – and of course a lot of people are off sick at the moment – and most importantly of all, give people the chance to get vaccinated, to get boosted, and allow time for those vaccinations to have effect.”
(Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, meanwhile, has said that restrictions are inevitable as Omicron continues to spread across the capital and urged Londoners to limit their New Years Eve parties.
The Mayor of London declared a ‘state of emergency’ for the capital as Covid took hold of the capital this week and infections increased for yet another day.
Appearing on The Andrew Marr Show , Mr Khan said that he believed more restrictions will need to be put in place and that Londoners should think about limiting numbers at New Year’s Eve parties.
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