New Year’s Eve revellers should celebrate “cautiously” and “outside” even though there are NO new lockdown rules, a health minister has warned.
Gillian Keegan told party-ready Brits that Downing Street “won’t hesitate to act” if the spread of Omicron causes hospitalisation numbers to soar.
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It comes one day after party hopefuls let out a sigh of relief when Boris Johnson put no new lockdown measures in place head of New Year’s Eve.
His decision was backed by a string of hugely positive studies which show Omicron IS milder than other strains, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.
Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.
The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits’ arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.
Even so, Minister of State for Care and Mental Health Ms Keegan urged Brits to take a Covid test before welcoming in the new year with friends and family.
She also suggested that gatherings be held outdoors or in “well-ventilated areas”.
Ms Keegan told Sky News: “We’ve always said act cautiously since this new variant came amongst us and is highly infectious.
“Many people will know somebody who has caught this over the Christmas period.
“So do be cautious. Take a lateral flow test before you go out. Go to well ventilated areas. I’ve been to a couple of outdoor parties actually.
“People have moved things to outside so just be cautious. But you know, do try to enjoy yourself as well. Oh cautiously.”
More to follow…
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