The Government’s decision to impose restrictions to slow the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant will likely avoid the need to impose much tougher controls in the new year, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said this morning.
Doing the media rounds Javid said that the Omicron variant was spreading more swiftly than any other variant studied and could result in around 1 million infections across the United Kingdom by the end of the month if transmission continued at the current rate.
The government has acted in order to stop the National Health Service (NHS) coming under unsustainable pressure, he said adding
“I hope that most people will understand that by taking some decisive action now, we can potentially avoid action later,” Javid told Sky News.Asked if tougher measures could be imposed in January, Javid said: “No. I hope not.”
He also appeared to rule out mandatory vaccinations, something that the Prime Minister said might need a national conversation.
“My view is that it’s unethical and also at a practical level it wouldn’t work,” Mr Javid told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
“If you’re asking me about universal mandatory vaccination, as some countries in Europe have said they will do, at a practical level I just don’t think it would work. Getting vaccinated has to be a positive choice.”
Meanwhile the Government has given more information this morning of the investigation into several alleged gatherings in Downing Street and Whitehall last winter
Responding to an argent question from the Labour Party, Cabinet Office minister Michael Ellis said the cabinet secretary’s investigation will establish facts around,an alleged gathering at Number 10 on 27 November 2020,a gathering at the Department for Education on 10 December 2020 and an alleged gathering at Number 10 on 18 December 2020
He added the purpose will be to “establish swiftly” a general understanding of the “nature” of these alleged gatherings including “attendance, the setting and the purpose”.
“If required, the investigation will establish whether individual disciplinary action is warranted,” Mr Ellis said adding that officials investigating the alleged gatherings will have access to “all relevant records” and be able to speak to staff.
