New coronavirus restrictions are being introduced in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as the country’s leaders try to combat rising Covid cases, but politicians in England are unlikely to discuss further measures until Monday.
Restrictions on hospitality are being reimposed from St Stephen's Day and December 27th, with nightclubs set to close in all three nations.
In Northern Ireland, socialising will be reduced to three households while up to six people can meet in pubs, bars and restaurants. Only table service will be available, and a two-metre social distancing rule will be in place in public premises and offices.
In Wales, a maximum of six people will be allowed to meet in pubs, cinemas and restaurants. Two-metre social distancing is also being required in public premises and offices.
In Scotland, up to three households can meet with one-metre distancing between groups at indoor and outdoor venues like bars, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and gyms. Table service is needed at places where alcohol is served.
From 26 December, capacity limits will be in place for larger events (excluding places of worship).
This means a maximum of:
🔹 100 people at indoor standing events
🔹 200 people at indoor seated events
🔹 500 people at outdoor events (whether seated or standing) pic.twitter.com/sFIUClZ9JqAdvertisement— Scottish Government (@scotgov) December 23, 2021
With the increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant, governments have also imposed limits on the number of people who can attend events.
In Northern Ireland, indoor standing events will no longer be permitted. In Scotland, only 100 are allowed to attend a standing indoor event and 200 at a seated event. Outdoor events have been limited to 500, meaning large-scale Hogmanay celebrations have been scrapped.
In Wales, a total of 30 people will be allowed at indoor events while 50 people will be allowed at outdoor events.
British prime minister Boris Johnson has yet to announce any further rules for England, but indicated he will not hesitate to act after Christmas if required amid rising cases of the Omicron variant.
The government may choose to issue new voluntary guidance on limiting contacts rather than risk another damaging Tory rebellion by recalling its parliament to impose new rules beyond existing 'Plan B' measures.
It is understood a Covid O meeting is yet to be scheduled as ministers await further data, but No 10 did not rule out the possibility one could take place on Monday.
However, it is understood school closures are not being considered for January.
A source close to British education secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: “The PM and Nadhim are fully committed to keeping schools open, and there’s a shared commitment across government to do so.
“Education is a top priority and school closures are not something being considered.”
Graham Brady, chairman of the powerful 1922 Committee of Tory MPs, told the Observer it was “time to move on from the lazy assumption that government has the right to control our lives”, adding that Britons should “take responsibility for our own lives once again”.
Charles Walker, a former vice-chairman of the committee, told the newspaper he hoped emerging data would support maintaining the current course of action.
“I think the PM has done extremely well to weigh up the information, hold his nerve and get us to this point,” he added.
