UK Minister Says 'Nothing in Data' to Prompt More COVID-19 Restrictions, Despite NHS Warnings

Amid speculations of possibly wider COVID-19 restrictions being introduced in England as the Omicron strain of the virus is responsible for a surge in cases, on 4 January the government is set to review its Plan B measures, not due to expire until 26 January.

Cabinet Office minister Stephen Barclay believes there is no need for further COVID-19 restrictions in England this week thanks to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s “Plan B”, reported Sky News.

When asked about the likelihood of additional coronavirus restrictions for England being announced in the coming week, Barclay said:

"We don't think the data supports that at this stage. Of course we keep the data under review but we've seen significant behaviour change as a result of Plan B.”

Barclay hailed the coronavirus rules, such as mask-wearing indoors, working from home if it's reasonable to do so, increased testing and vaccine certificates for large events and in nightclubs, which came into effect under Plan B in early December to last until 26 January 2022.

"The widespread use of testing is an illustration of the fact the British public are taking sensible steps to take themselves safe, to keep friends and family safe. That's why there has been such a demand for testing in recent weeks. So that, combined with the booster programme, is the key way as a country we will avoid the need for further measures."

Health Minister Ed Argar similarly said on Sunday that he saw “nothing” in the current data to prompt further measures.

“Restrictions or curbs must be the absolute last resort. I’m seeing nothing at the moment in the data I have in front of me, in the immediate situation, that suggests a need for further restrictions. But that data changes day by day,” he said on Times Radio.

Meanwhile, over 90% of people in the UK over the age of 12 have received their first vaccine jab, and 82.4% have had their second inoculation dose.

According to recent UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data, unvaccinated people were up to eight times more likely to be admitted to hospital than those fully jabbed.

As pupils return to secondary school for a new term after the festive break, the government has announced that facemasks should be worn in classrooms, with additional air cleaning units provided to schools and colleges. Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi outlined the measures for schools in a Twitter thread on Sunday.

I'm looking forward to welcoming pupils back to school & college this week.

I know we face challenges with the Omicron variant but as the Prime Minister and I have made clear, education is our number one priority.

Let me offer some reassurance ahead of the new term👇🏽

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— Nadhim Zahawi (@nadhimzahawi) January 2, 2022

‘Intensifying ‘Health Emergency’

This comes as the National Health Service (NHS) leaders have warned about an intensifying “health emergency” as the health service is operating "beyond full stretch".

Current hospital admissions in England have soared to their highest level since January 2021, as a further 137,583 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases were recorded in England and Wales as of 9am on Sunday. Data published by the Office for National Statistics showed 174,000 deaths registered in the UK with the coronavirus mentioned on the death certificate.

United Kingdom Daily Coronavirus (COVID-19) Report · Sunday 2nd January.

137,583 new cases (people positive) reported, giving a total of 13,235,401.

73 new deaths reported, giving a total of 148,851. pic.twitter.com/BBisX9TbyF

— UK COVID-19 (@UKCovid19Stats) January 2, 2022

Chris Hopson, the chief executive of NHS Providers, said staff was under “arguably more pressure” than this time last year.

He wrote on Twitter that the NHS was “preparing for worst & hoping for best.”

NHS preparing for worst & hoping for best. Staff flat out, esp. given level of staff absences. We will need to ask them to perform flexible heroics again if hospital covid numbers continue to rise. We can’t keep doing this. Long term NHS capacity issues must be addressed. 25/25

— Chris Hopson (@ChrisCEOHopson) January 1, 2022

However, he added that “long-term NHS capacity issues must be addressed.”

On Sunday the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust had reportedly declared a “critical incident” linked to “extreme and unprecedented” staff shortages.

UK Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, acknowledged that the surge of the more transmittable Omicron strain of the respiratory disease would “test the limits of finite NHS capacity even more than a typical winter”. However, he insisted that further restrictions in England must be a “last resort”. Javid added that the UK must prepare to “live alongside” coronavirus in 2022.

MPs are due to return to the House of Commons on 4 January following the Christmas recess, with the government to review its "Plan B" measures.