A leading Government adviser has said a circuit-breaker lockdown before Christmas would be the most effective way to tackle the spread of Omicron.
Stephen Reicher, professor of social psychology at the University of St Andrews and member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) said Plan B measures would not be enough to tackle the new variant.
Prof Reicher, speaking to Times Radio in a personal capacity, said action must be taken now as the UK reported more than 90,000 new covid cases on Friday.
READ MORE: Two-week circuit breaker lockdown plans 'drawn up' with indoor mixing 'to be banned'
On Saturday, Prof Reicher told Times Radio that “all the science suggests that (Plan B is) not going to be enough”.
He said: “The only way really, or at least the most effective way, we can have an immediate effect is to decrease the number of contacts we have.
“In many ways, the most effective way of diminishing contact is to have a circuit-breaker.
“Now, you could have it after Christmas, the problem is after Christmas it’s probably too late, it’s probably by then we will have had a huge surge of infections with all the impact upon society.
“When people say ‘look, we don’t want to close down’, of course, we don’t want to close down. But the problem is at the moment, things are closing down anyway, because of the spread of infection.
“So I think we need to act now.”
Plans are reportedly being 'drawn up' for a two week circuit-breaker lockdown after Christmas, according to The Times.
Indoor mixing is set to be banned under the plans being drawn up by officials with pubs and restaurants also limited to outdoor service.
The proposals would see England return to restrictions last seen in April but Boris Johnson is yet to approve the plans and insisted yesterday he was not 'closing things down'.
The Financial Times has reported the Prime Minister has also been presented with a Plan C option to tackle the rising number of infections.
These options range from 'mild guidance to nudge people, right through to lockdown '.
The newspaper quoted allies of the Prime Minister who claimed Mr Johnson still wanted to go down the guidance route, but that he also had to be realistic about the threat of Omicron.
Leaked minutes from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), seen by the BBC, reportedly said scientists had told ministers that tougher measures need to be brought in “very soon”.
A Government spokesperson said: “The Government will continue to look closely at all the emerging data and we’ll keep our measures under review as we learn more about this variant.”
Despite rising infections, Liverpool Echo readers have reacted reluctantly to the idea of more restrictions being brought in.
Sarah Melling said: "No chance. I’ve had all vaccinations and wear my mask when I'm out and about. Get lost. I will not be locked away again.
Gary Malone asked: "If it's so called getting that bad again, what is a two week lockdown going to do?"
Michael Kobylko asked: "And when we come out of this "circuit breaker" and cases start rising again, what then?"
Anne Maxwell Holly said: "I wear my mask on buses and shops, only going out if I need anything from the shops, had my jabs and booster.
"You're not stopping me from going to my aunties for a few days over Christmas, not spending another Christmas on my own."
And Marv Baggins said: "Here we go again."
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