Prime Minister Boris Johnson will front a Downing Street press briefing this afternoon after new measures came into force to tackle the Omicron variant.
Mr Johnson will speak after scientists found 11 cases of the super-mutated strain in the UK - with more expected to follow.
He is expected to talk about new compulsory face mask rules which took effect in England from 4am this morning and urge people to get their booster vaccines after the rollout was extended to all over-18s, reports MirrorOnline.
The Prime Minister is also likely to mention new travel rules forcing all UK arrivals to take a Day 2 PCR test and isolation until a negative result is returned. However, the Scotland and Wales devolved governments have demanded Mr Johnson keeps all arrivals in isolation until a Day 8 test.
The PM’s spokesman did not rule out even tighter travel rules when the new restrictions are reviewed in three weeks' time.
No 10 said Mr Johnson was not “planning” to adopt the plea for eight days’ isolation, but did not rule it out, saying the response would be kept under review.
Mr Johnson could also face a revolt from some Tory backbenchers at around 4.30pm when the new Covid measures go to a vote. They are concerned about what will happen when the measures expire on December 20 - with Parliament in recess.
In quotes released overnight by No10, the Prime Minister said: "The measures taking effect today are proportionate and responsible, and will buy us time in the face of this new variant.
“Based on everything we know, our vaccines and boosters remain our best line of defence, so it is more important than ever that people come forward when eligible to get boosted.
“Not only will today’s steps help us slow down the variant’s spread, but they will help us protect each other and the gains we have all worked so hard for.”
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