New Covid self-isolation laws will be in force until March - sparking fears they could drag on for months without being cancelled.
Under new rules that came into force on Tuesday, everyone who comes in contact with someone suspected of having the Omicron variant must self-isolate for ten days - even if they're fully vaccinated.
If they don't, they face a fine of £1,000 rising to £10,000 for multiple repeat offences.
While other Covid rules will be reviewed by December 20, the law underpinning the isolation rules will not expire until March 24.
That does not necessarily mean the system will remain in place until then, but Tory MPs have voiced fury.
Tory Huw Merriman told the Commons: "If the aim is for us to be covered for no longer than is necessary, why do they have no end date and default to 24 March?"The impact of these regulations is even greater than our having to wear a face covering for longer periods because, as has been mentioned, we could well be back to “pingdemic” territory."Tory Andrew Murrison added: "The fact is that motion 3 on the Order Paper expires on 20 December, yet motion 4 expires on 24 March 2022. "Can she [the minister] explain the logicality of that?"
Covid rules are due to be reassessed by the Government in three weeks time - just before Christmas.
If the threat from Omicron, which some fear may people able to evade the vaccine, is considered to be lessened, then the rules may be eased.
In Parliament 33 Tories voted against the new isolation rules, including the former Cabinet ministers Greg Clark, Jeremy Wright and Esther McVey, as well as Mark Harper, the former chief whip.
Sir Christopher Chope, a Conservative MP who made headlines last month by forcing a debate on whether Owen Paterson should be suspended, criticised the isolation plan.
He said the regulations were “part of a scaremongering propaganda campaign that is really designed to restrict or stop interaction between social animals ”.
Other MPs told the Telegraph that they were concerned the rules would lead to a "pandemic" and people cancelling Christmas parties to avoid going into isolation.
At his press conference today the PM told Brits not to cancel Christmas plans - and stressed there is no immediate lockdown threat.
Boris Johnson said he wanted to take a "balanced and proportionate" approach to omicron, which has now seen confirmed UK cases rise to 22.
There are 13 in England, with nine in London.
His intervention came after the head of the UK’s Health Security Agency, Dr Jenny Harries, urged people not to socialise if they do not need to in the run-up to Christmas.
Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said uncertainty caused by such remarks was “extremely frustrating”.
He said: “At the very moment operating costs are at their highest, we are now faced with another poorly conceived communications strategy from Government which has and will severely impact businesses.
“Christmas bookings and advance ticket sales have already been hit following the announcement of the new Omicron variant.
“The Government needs to recognise that, while restrictions are not in place for the hospitality and night-time economy sectors, we are reliving the moments of March 2020 where the Prime Minister asked people not to go to pubs, bars, clubs and theatres.
“It is surreal and extremely frustrating to see healthcare advisers publicly telling people not to socialise, giving unnecessary uncertainty to our customers and workforce.”
