LONDON, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed last Tuesday that he will not introduce any further COVID restrictions in England before Christmas, but warned that the rapid spread of the Omicron variant meant curbs could still be imposed after Christmas.
The Prime Minister in his Christmas Eve message exhorted the UK public to get jabbed as a "wonderful" gift for the nation as cases soar.
According to new modelling for scientists advising the government, tougher COVID restrictions are going to be needed to stop hospitals being overwhelmed.
Experts at University of Warwick estimate that even if Omicron's severity is just 20 percent of Delta's, the current plan B restrictions are likely to lead to a peak in daily hospital admissions of just under 5,000 a day in England in early January.
People shop and walk down Oxford Street on Boxing Day, in London, Britain, Dec. 26, 2021. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
People shop and walk down Oxford Street on Boxing Day, in London, Britain, Dec. 26, 2021. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
People shop and walk down Regent Street on Boxing Day, in London, Britain, Dec. 26, 2021. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
People shop in Oxford Street on Boxing Day in London, Britain, Dec. 26, 2021.(Xinhua/Li Ying)
People walk in Oxford Street on Boxing Day in London, Britain, Dec. 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
A man sits in front of a screen for sales information in Oxford Street on Boxing Day in London, Britain, Dec. 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Produced by Xinhua Global Service■