Boris Johnson is reportedly set to delay a decision on new covid restrictions as one minister suggested there is 'nothing' in the data to support tougher measures.
Although a further 137,583 lab-confirmed Covid-19 cases were recorded in England and Wales as of 9am on Sunday, ministers have said that there is nothing in the current data to suggest further measures are needed at present, reports The Mirror.
But concerns have continued to mount as more people are absent from work due to being infected with the Omicron variant of the virus.
READ MORE: Omicron return to school update as covid cases continue to rise
The Prime Minister tasked ministers with developing "robust contingency plans" for staff absences.
Health minister Ed Argar said the Government was "doing the responsible and sensible thing" by asking the public sector to prepare for a worst-case scenario of up to a quarter of staff off work.
The current existing restrictions are set until January 26 despite the government saying that they would be reviewed three weeks after they were first implemented.
MPs are due to return to the Commons on Wednesday following the Christmas recess.
The Government is set to review its Plan B measures on the same date.
But, Mr Argar said on Sunday that he saw "nothing" in the current data to suggest further measures were needed at present.
Speaking to Times Radio, he said: "Restrictions or curbs must be the absolute last resort. I'm seeing nothing at the moment in the data I have in front of me, in the immediate situation, that suggests a need for further restrictions. But that data changes day by day."
Asked whether he could rule out announcements on wider restrictions on people in England in the coming week, Cabinet Office minister Steve Barclay also told Sky News: "We don't think the data supports that at this stage.
"Of course, we keep the data under review, but we've seen significant behaviour change as a result of Plan B."
The i reports that any changes to restrictions are currently seen by ministers as unlikely with Boris Johnson set to delay a decision on any further measures.
However, school rules were updated over the weekend as Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi announced the new measures on Sunday.
It was confirmed that masks would also need to be worn when schools re-open, amid fears of a return to homeschooling.
He said: “Being in face to face learning is undoubtedly the very best place for children and young people’s education and wellbeing, and my priority remains on keeping early years settings, schools, colleges and universities open so that face-to-face education can continue."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
