The United Kingdom needs an immediate 10-day lockdown to curb the rapid spread of the Covid Omicron strain, experts have warned.
Independent SAGE, the equivalent of the official Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies has advised that pubs and restaurants close for inside service with immediate effect.
The news comes as UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) boss Dr Jenny Harries warned that the figures that will appear in the next few days could be "quite staggering" compared to rate of growth of previous variants.
And she warned the NHS could be in "serious peril" because the Omicron wave. The number of Covid cases increased by more than 78,000, the highest daily rise in the pandemic so far, on Wednesday.
In response, so-called Indie SAGE wants to ban indoor mixing and let parents take kids out of schools without fear of being fined.
But the government appear to be taking a different approach, with PM Boris Johnson saying at a Downing St press conference last night: "We're not cancelling events, we're not closing hospitality, we're not cancelling people's parties or their ability to mix.
"What we are saying is think carefully before you go."
But, in an "emergency statement" Indie SAGE called for "limited mixing" from Christmas day to December 28.
The group said urging people to be alert is not urgent enough. "The situation is so urgent we must take emergency action now and that means it is imperative to reduce contacts," a statement read.
"Advice is no longer enough since it does not convey the urgency of the situation."
Among the other measures being called for, are:
- Pubs, restaurants and entertainment venues to shut indoors
- No indoor gatherings between households of any size
- All close contacts of new cases to isolate for 10 days
- Adequate financial support for affected businesses
- Schools to close or parents to take out kids without being fined
- The booster campaign to continue
Also last night, Johnson said a mixture of Plan B measures and boosters would help curb the virus.
Appearing alongside Chris Whitty and Nikki Kanani, the PM said: "I think this is the the right approach. It's a double strategy, it's a left and a right."
