Boris Johnson is expected to make a final call on whether to introduce new coronavirus restrictions ahead of New Year's Eve.
While tough rules have been introduced across Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland today (December 26), no new restrictions have been imposed in England.
That soon could change though, with the Prime Minister expected to decide whether or not to tighten the rules in the coming days.
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It follows a surge in coronavirus cases in recent weeks amid the arrival of the Omicron variant - with five Greater Manchester boroughs seeing infection rates above 1,000 per 100,000 people in the latest figures released on Christmas Eve.
The spike has had a major impact on one of the country's best-loved Boxing Day traditions, with a raft of football matches being cancelled due to Covid cases - including matches involving Wigan Athletic, Bolton Wanderers and Rochdale.
Any announcement on fresh coronavirus restrictions for England will be made on Monday (December 27) at the earliest, the Mirror reports.
One Whitehall source added: “Maybe not even then. It’s a case of waiting for more data.”
SAGE Government advisers are warning of a large wave of hospital admissions as Omicron moves from younger to older age groups, which could be made worse by families mixing at Christmas.
One in 35 Brits now has Covid, and the NHS is planning 'mini-Nightingale hospitals' in car parks next month to hold 100 patients each.
But Whitehall insiders added that any new measures are likely to be advisory - so that the PM can avoid facing rebellious Tory backbenchers with a recall of Parliament.
Meanwhile, unvaccinated people could be paid a visit by Covid jab teams going door-to-door to offer the vaccine in areas which have seen a low uptake.
Ministers are said to be considering the plan, which would also help encourage people without easy access to a vaccination centre.
A Cabinet Minister told the Mail on Sunday : "I think anything that encourages the vaccine-hesitant is sensible.
"The mood in the country is hardening against people who refuse to be vaccinated.
"I am all in favour of free choice but there comes a point when you cannot lock up 90% of the country who are vaccinated for the 10% who refuse to be."
