Boris Johnson[/B] is expected to announce at noon Wednesday to announce a relaxation of the so-called Plan B measures adopted since last month to contain the Omicron variant[/B] of the coronavirus in England.
The British Prime Minister will chair an extraordinary Cabinet meeting this morning, at which he will study the latest epidemiological data and later make a statement to the House of Commons.
A government spokesman said late on Tuesday that decisions remain "delicately balanced", as yes the booster dose of the vaccine has been given to more than 36 million people, but coronavirus infections remain high and more than 17,000 carriers are still hospitalised. He added that Omicron still poses a threat.
However, it is widely expected that Mr Johnson will lift the recommendation to telecommute and announce the removal of the requirement to show a vaccination certificate to enter mass events such as sporting events and nightclubs.
Less likely, however, is the third measure in Plan B, namely the use of masks in shops and on public transport, to be abolished.
These measures expire on 26 January.
The Prime Minister's move follows the improvement in the epidemiological picture over the last ten days. It is also believed to fall within his efforts to satisfy Conservative executives and voters who have begun to question him following revelations of parties on Downing Street amid a lockdown.
This attempt to appease opposition, reportedly dubbed "Operation Red Meat", includes announcements to freeze and in future abolish the fee paid by citizens for the BBC, as well as giving the armed forces the task of patrolling the English Channel to stem the flow of refugees and migrants from continental Europe.
Source: CNA
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