People in England should now work from home if they can, as part of the government’s Plan B guidance to curb the spread of Omicron. The change brings England in line with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
But some businesses in city centres fear the move means they will lose customers in the run up to Christmas. Rules on face masks have already been tightened, and Covid passes will be required to get into nightclubs and other large venues from Wednesday.
Despite the new rules, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday the UK faced an “Omicron emergency”, with a “tidal wave” of the new variant coming. In a televised address, he said boosters would be offered to everyone over 18 in England from this week, with the aim of giving a jab to everyone who wants one by the end of the month.
