No further COVID-19 restrictions or lockdowns will be imposed in England before the new year, according to United Kingdom Health Secretary Sajid Javid, despite a rise in Omicron cases driving the return of government restrictions in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Javid also said that people should “remain cautious” as the new year approaches and celebrate on December 31 outside if possible. U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the government would continue to study incoming COVID data and also urged people to get their “first, second or booster jab without delay,” according to the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59804686">BBC</a>.
This announcement surprised some, given that it does not align with the other nations which make up the United Kingdom.
Temporary measures have been imposed for hospitality and leisure businesses — such as pubs, restaurants, gyms, museums, and theaters — in Scotland, with physical distancing reinstated from 5 a.m. on Monday.
“Table service must also be used in places where alcohol is served to drink on the premises,” the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59781504">BBC</a> explained. “Nightclubs also have to close for a period of at least three weeks, though they can stay open if they operate as a pub with table service and distancing.”
In Wales, only groups of six people or less are now permitted to meet in pubs, cinemas, and restaurants. These restrictions were enforced from 6 a.m. on December 26.
“Outdoor events are limited to 50, with 30 people allowed indoors, which also applies to private homes,” the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-59768306">BBC</a> noted.
And in <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-59796896">Northern Ireland</a>, hospitality venues were limited to table service from Monday onwards, with a maximum of six people “allowed to sit together at a table and dancing is prohibited, unless at a wedding.”
In addition, only three households may mix, and employers must make efforts to ensure social distancing in the workplace.
These moves come as record COVID-19 cases have been seen across the United Kingdom. In England, 113,628 new cases were reported on December 25, 103,558 on December 26, and 98,515 on December 27. In Scotland, provisional new case numbers were 8,252 on December 25, 11,030 on December 26, and 10,562 on December 27.
However, despite international concern regarding the Omicron variant, it was recently reported that researchers for a new study said that Omicron appears to be milder than the Delta variant of COVID-19, leading to up to 80% fewer hospitalizations.
Of the people who contract the virus and are hospitalized, they’re also 70% less likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit or be put on a ventilator compared to those with Delta, the Daily Mail <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10339089/Omicron-Covid-MILDER-three-major-studies-confirm-Research-England-Scotland-South-Africa.html">reported</a> on the <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.12.21.21268116v1">study</a> led by South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
“So even though cases of omicron were less likely to end up in hospital than cases of delta, it is not possible to say whether this is due to inherent differences in virulence or whether this is due to higher population immunity in November compared to earlier in the year,” Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the U.K.’s University of East Anglia, <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10335919/Omicron-80-CENT-likely-cause-hospital-admission-Delta-major-study-suggests.html">told</a> the Daily Mail.
Ian Haworth is an Editor and Writer for The Daily Wire. Follow him on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/ighaworth">@ighaworth</a>.

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Omicron Splits U.K. Policy Makers, With England The Odd-One-Out After Choosing Not To Impose New Restrictions

CONTINUE READING

Radical DA ‘Has Turned The Streets Of Los Angeles Into A Living Nightmare’: Campaign To Recall Gascón Raises More Than $6 Million

New York Times Changes Wordle Answer After Abortion News, Sparks User Confusion

Moscow Murders: The Danger Of Standing Up To The Russian Regime

What Does Elon Musk Buying Twitter Really Mean?

‘Blatant Attempt To Misinform’: Rand Paul Fires Back At Critics After Tense Exchange With Antony Blinken

Apple CEO Tim Cook Slammed For Human Rights Hypocrisy Over China Censorship

News and Commentary

Boris Johnson

COVID

Omicron

United Kingdom

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News and Commentary —

Omicron Splits U.K. Policy Makers, With England The Odd-One-Out After Choosing Not To Impose New Restrictions