Will there be more COVID restrictions before Christmas? Here's what we know

Boris Johnson has repeatedly declined to rule out further COVID-19 restrictions being introduced in England ahead of Christmas.

On Tuesday, MPs are to be asked to approve the Plan B measures the prime minister has set out in a bid to stem the spread of the Omicron variant.

Already, more than 70 of his own MPs have signalled they will or are considering, opposing some of the plans, mainly due to the introduction of COVID passes.

Johnson has also refused to say whether his government will try to introduce even more restrictions on top of Plan B to curtail the new variant.

Watch: Boris Johnson sets accelerated new year booster target in face of Omicron ‘tidal wave’

What did the PM say?

On Monday, when asked if he could rule out more restrictions before Christmas, Johnson said: “Throughout the pandemic I’ve been at great pains to stress to the public that we have to watch where the pandemic is going and we take whatever steps are necessary to protect public health.

“We think the steps that we are taking – so Plan B, combined with a hugely ambitious acceleration of the booster campaign, bringing it forward by a month so we offer a booster to every adult by the end of the year – we think that’s the right approach.”

He added: “What I can tell you is that we think that looking at the balance of the risks, looking at the epidemiology, looking at where we are with Omicron, looking at everything we know, don’t forget, there are still some important things we don’t know about Omicron.”

The government is aiming to give boosters to one million people each day from Monday in an effort to halt what Johnson called a "tidal wave" of the Omicron coronavirus variant.

The mission to administer millions more jabs by 31 December will see 42 military planning teams deployed across every health region.

On Sunday evening, the PM said that "everyone eligible aged 18 and over in England will have the chance to get their booster before the new year."

However, the NHS has promised a different target, pledging to offer all adults the chance to book a booster, rather than actually receive one.

On Monday morning, the NHS vaccination booking site crashed as hundreds of thousands of people try to book their booster jabs.

There were also issues with booking boosters through the site on Sunday, as demand surged following Johnson's announcement that all adults could come forward for a third jab.

The ordering of lateral flow tests (LFTs) on the government website was also temporarily suspended amid “exceptionally high demand”.

Read more: Woman wakes from seven-week COVID coma to find she's given birth to baby girl

What have other UK leaders said?

The Scottish Government has set a target of offering booster jabs to all eligible adults by the end of the year, but first minister Nicola Sturgeon has said more COVID-19 restrictions may still be needed.

She said “given the expected volume of cases in the weeks ahead” it is also possible that “further, proportionate protective measures or advice will be necessary”.

The Scottish cabinet is due to meet on Tuesday morning ahead of a coronavirus statement from Ms Sturgeon in the Scottish Parliament in the afternoon.

The Welsh health minister Eluned Morgan said new restrictions are “likely” to be introduced in Wales as the country faces an impending “tsunami” from the Omicron variant.

In last Friday’s three-week review, first minister Mark Drakeford announced reviews would now take place weekly due to the threat posed by the Omicron variant.

What's the latest data?

The seven-day average of COVID cases by date reported has risen in recent days above 50,000 - the highest since the January peak during the last wave of the pandemic.

In total, 363,682 positive COVID tests were reported week on week (WoW), which was a 9.9% rise on the previous seven days.

There were 831 deaths reported (WoW) which was a 0.5% drop and there were 5,677 hospital admissions (WoW) which was 5.1% rise on the previous seven days.

With 146,439 fatalities recorded within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test as of Sunday, the UK has Europe's highest death toll from the virus.

Read more: First Omicron death in UK confirmed by Boris Johnson

What are the current restrictions in England?

On Tuesday, MPs are to be asked to approve the Plan B measures.

Plan B measures include:

Vaccine passports for certain large-scale events

The NHS Covid pass is to be made mandatory in England for nightclubs and venues where large crowds gather in a week's time.

Mandatory face coverings in indoor settings

The rules around the wearing of face coverings will be further extended, as of Friday, to most public indoor venues including theatres and cinemas.

Instructions to work from home if possible

Guidance to work from home is to be reintroduced in England as part of measures to halt the spread of the Omicron variant.

Daily lateral flow tests

From Tuesday, fully vaccinated people who are contacts of coronavirus cases will need daily lateral flow tests for seven days instead self-isolation for Omicron cases.

The government is advising anyone entering “high-risk” places, including crowded settings, to use lateral tests.

Some measures have already been introduced in order to try and contain the spread of Omicron, including mandatory face masks in shops and on public transport, and tighter restrictions and testing requirements for travellers.

Watch: Sajid Javid says Omicron spreading at 'phenomenal' rate