The Johnson government is expected to review the latest data and advice from experts to decide if further restrictions need to be brought in for England as well
People wait to receive a ‘Jingle Jab’ Covid vaccination booster injection at the Good Health Pharmacy, London on Saturday. Pic/AP
New tougher restrictions have come in force from Sunday in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland under devolved powers in a bid to curb rising coronavirus cases across the United Kingdom.
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Cabinet is expected to review the latest data and advice from experts on Monday to decide if further restrictions need to be brought in for England as well. The region is currently under Plan B measures, which call for working from home, compulsory face masks and COVID-19 vaccination certificates for entry to large venues.
In Wales, nightclubs will close from Sunday and a maximum of six people will be allowed to meet in pubs, restaurants and cinemas. Up to 30 people will be allowed at indoor events, while at outdoor events the limit is 50.
In Scotland, social distancing of one metre will now be required at large events and attendance will be limited to 100 people at indoor events where people are standing, or 200 for seated events inside. For outdoor events, the limit is 500 people. From Monday, nightclubs will be forced to close for three weeks, table service will be required in settings where alcohol is being served – and the one-metre rule will apply to hospitality and leisure settings.
Northern Ireland has also shut down nightclubs, while indoor standing events and dancing in hospitality settings will be banned. From Monday, a limit of six people – or 10 people from a single household – will be allowed in indoor hospitality settings. But children will not be counted in the total and weddings or civil partnership celebrations will be exempt.
Daily coronavirus figures are not being reported over the Christmas and Boxing Day weekend, but Friday saw another high of 1,22,186 UK cases. The UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated – using its weekly random testing programme – that as many as 1.74 million people, or one in 35, had coronavirus seven days ago.
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