Hopes that the current wave of Covid-19 infection may subside quicker than previous variants of the virus are among the top stories on Wednesday.
The Irish Times leads with comments from Tánaiste Leo Varakdar, who said Omicron infections are likely to peak "in the next week or so".
The Fine Gael leader also told the newspaper Omicron will be overcome "hopefully more quickly than prior waves".
The Irish Examiner, meanwhile, looks at a report from Daft.ie showing house prices increased by almost 8 per cent during 2021. The paper also reports Covid positivity rates have increased to their highest levels since the pandemic began, reaching 30.5 per cent.
The Echo's front page covers the impact the current wave of infections is having on businesses, stating businesses across Cork are struggling with high absentee rates due to staff having to isolate.
The Irish Independent looks at the Covid's impact on employment, reporting Dublin and commuter counties are recovering "more slowly from the economic devastation caused by the pandemic".
Wednesday’s edition includes 12-page Leopardstown racing pullout pic.twitter.com/7kUDDRDT8V
— Irish Daily Star (@IsFearrAnStar) December 29, 2021
The Irish Daily Star goes with 'Foreign Affairs Covid Bubbles', reporting that "top officials threw lockdown champagne party after UN council win", while the Irish Daily Mirror covers the same story under the headline 'Bubbles and Strife'.
Omicron wave has not yet peaked, say experts... so stay vigilant. For all this and lots more, pick up Wednesday's Irish Daily Mail or click on https://t.co/7yQSg4uXrF pic.twitter.com/nauB3cQnmQ
— The Irish Daily Mail (@irishdailymail) December 29, 2021
The Irish Daily Mail lead story warns the Omicron wave has not yet peaked, prompting calls for people to cancel their plans for the New Year. The paper's front page also carries an image of actresses Emma Watson and Bonnie Wright ahead of their appearance in the 20th anniversary Harry Potter special, Return to Hogwarts.
Morning readers! Stay with @BelTel for all your breaking news.
Here's a look at the front page of the Belfast Telegraph this morning:https://t.co/3AlGJmrP8Y #Tellitlikeitis pic.twitter.com/NN4kbu8Fqx— Belfast Telegraph (@BelTel) December 29, 2021
Finally, the Belfast Telegraph's front page is dominated with a scorching scene, reporting on a fire which broke out at a scrap metal recycling business in the city on Tuesday evening.
In Britain, the national papers are led by Covid hope for 2022 and concerns over an imminent cost of living increase.
The Daily Mirror has “New Year New Hope” following claims Omicron is not as deadly as previous variants, while the Daily Express says “the worst of Covid is finally over”.
Tomorrow's front page: New Year New Hope #tomorrowspaperstoday https://t.co/qmYWy4a1PA pic.twitter.com/BCTrjCTXaR
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) December 28, 2021
Tomorrow's front page: Dare we hope? Worst of Covid is 'history'#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/U2w8YCI45c
— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) December 28, 2021
The Times and Daily Mail report British prime minister Boris Johnson has been urged to follow the lead of health officials in the US and cut the Covid self-isolation period in a bid to stave off a potential NHS staffing crisis.
TIMES: Cut self-isolation to save NHS, Johnson is urged #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/dXagOEGVrD
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) December 28, 2021
Wednesday’s @DailyMailUK #MailFrontPages pic.twitter.com/dDuRuM2q0o
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) December 28, 2021
Meanwhile, the country's Test and Trace system has been messaging people to isolate for 10 days even though official guidance has been cut to seven, according to The Daily Telegraph.
🗞️The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:
'Test & Trace tells people to isolate incorrectly'#TomorrowsPapersToday
Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4Oomry pic.twitter.com/82zQy0opU6— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) December 28, 2021
Elsewhere, The Guardian and The Independent report UK households face a “cost of living catastrophe” in 2022 as a result of stalling wages and soaring tax and energy bills.
Guardian front page, Wednesday 29 December 2021: UK households warned of 'year of the squeeze' as cost of living soars pic.twitter.com/I3VxiRwQ8F
— The Guardian (@guardian) December 28, 2021
INDEPENDENT DIGITAL: Families face £1200 hole in household budgets #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/9pb08SGm8X
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) December 28, 2021
The Financial Times leads with global companies raising a record $12.1 trillion in 2021.
Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Wednesday 29 December https://t.co/DUsgLuoZ6A pic.twitter.com/JjhbrWUBfu
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) December 28, 2021
And the Daily Star says China has complained to the UN after its space station nearly collided with one of billionaire Elon Musk’s satellites.
Tomorrow's Daily Star front page: Elon, we have a problem.https://t.co/iQJvVR2A7B pic.twitter.com/y5CgcMc43p
— Daily Star (@dailystar) December 28, 2021
