England is heading back into greater restrictions as the Prime Minister confirms that Plan B is to be introduced.

Speaking at a Downing Street press briefing, Boris Johnson said that it was "now the proportionate and responsible thing to move to Plan B in England."

What will the Plan B measures involve?

  • Everyone is now asked to work from home as of Monday, 'if they are able'.
  • From this Friday the legal requirement to wear a face mask will be extended to most venues, including theatres and cinemas. The Prime Minster said there would be exceptions, including when eating and drinking, and singing.
  • The Covid vaccine pass will be mandatory to nightclubs and indoor seated venues of more than 5,000 people and any venues with more than 10,000 people. A negative lateral flow test will also be sufficient. This will come into force in a week's time.

Mr Johnson said that daily testing for contacts of people with the virus will be brought in, instead of isolation, in order to "keep people safe while minimising disruption to daily life."

He encouraged everyone to get the booster as soon as they are eligible, with the minimum time between the second jab and the booster now three months.

Mr Johnson said the government will be monitoring the efficacy of boosters and vaccines, the severity of Omicron, the speed of its spread and the rate of hospitalisations.

"As soon as it becomes clear the boosters are capable of holding this variant and we've boosted enough people we will be able to move forward as before," he added.