The Prime Minister's spokesperson and a health minister have both dismissed reports of a Plan C coronavirus winter strategy.
Plan C could involve banning household mixing, while Plan B might see the introduction of vaccine certificates and legally mandating face masks.
It comes as health minister Edward Argar insists it's not the right time to trigger Plan B - despite a rise in daily Covid cases and deaths.
But health minister Maggie Throup said the government is “always open to alternatives."
Challenged by shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth in the Commons over the Plan C reports, Throup said: “He mentions Plan C. I saw that story earlier and I checked it out, and it’s not a story that I know that has any foundation.
“We’re always open to alternatives, that’s quite rightly so. As a Government, it would be irresponsible of us not to be looking at every alternative.
“So, I hope he’s reassured that we’re on Plan A and I encourage everybody to come forward for their booster jab, and those who haven’t already had their jab should come forward. We want Plan A to be successful.”
Earlier, Throup said of Plan B: “None of us wish to implement these measures but they are clearly preferable to having to close businesses or enforcing further lockdowns.
“I recognise vaccine certification is of particular interest to my colleagues in this House and, as set out in our plan, we would seek to provide a vote in Parliament ahead of any regulations coming in.”
Throup also told MPs £162.5 million “additional funding” would be made available for social care to help boost staffing numbers and support existing workers through the winter.
Meanwhile, Downing Street denied that ministers or officials are considering a Plan C to ban household mixing in order to control coronavirus this winter.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I’ve seen the reporting this morning about household mixing – it’s important to stress that neither ministers nor officials are working on these proposals. That is not accurate.”
