Tougher Covid rules lasting until spring among several proposals drawn up by experts
Restrictions starting as early as next week to curb omicron spread among scenarios modelled for government scientists
Tough new Covid restrictions would come in next week and last until the spring, under one scenario which has been modelled for government scientists.
Papers released by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) included University of Warwick modelling
looking at tighter rules starting on December 28 or New Year’s Day and lasting until January 15, January 28 or March 28.
The latest of those dates, if it was adopted by Boris Johnson, would mean England going back into tighter restrictions for three months after Christmas. It is longer than publicly suggested by some of the most cautious scientists and politicians.
A Downing Street source played down the possibility of that option being implemented, however, stressing that the modelling has not been submitted to government ministers yet for consideration.
However, the fact that government scientists are discussing the idea reflects how seriously
the surge of the omicron variant of Covid-19 is being treated as they consider what to advise.
Changes in Covid restrictions only come into effect once the Prime Minister and his Cabinet agree what action to take and Parliament has voted through any legal changes.
Proposals could pile pressure on Cabinet
The modelling came as two government scientists defended their analysis of the threat posed by omicron, dismissing critics who have dubbed scientific warnings
“doomsday” scenarios.
Dr Jenny Harries, the chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, insisted that omicron remains a “serious threat” despite new encouraging data about the variant, while Sir Patrick Vallance, the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, defended scientific models after criticism from Tory MPs.
The release of the modelling on Christmas Eve could heap pressure on the Cabinet, which is expected to meet early next week, to consider the possibility of new restrictions given the omicon surge.
The new statement from the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (Spi-M), a government advisory group which sits alongside Sage, was published online on Christmas Eve.
The Spi-M statement made reference to modelling conducted by the University of Warwick, which was also published separately and considers possible options for tightening the rules.
The road back to step two?
The intervention which was considered is returning to step two of
the Government’s reopening roadmap, as was followed in the first half of 2021.
During step two, indoor socialising was not allowed outside your own household or support bubble, but outdoor socialising was allowed in a group of up to six people.
Pubs, bars and restaurants were closed indoors but could serve people outdoors, while working from home was encouraged. Hotels and hostels were closed.
The analysis looked at the impact of adopting the new rules on December 28, two days after Boxing Day, and January 1.
It also considered them ending with a return to Plan B restrictions, the current rules in England, on January 15, January 28 or March 28.
The analysis found broadly that restrictions being adopted earlier and being in place longer had the biggest impact on
reducing hospital admissions, the number of days people are in hospital, and deaths.
The academics found that if step two restrictions are in place until March 28, then the number of deaths will be more than a third lower than if there are no restrictions beyond Plan B.
If restrictions are enforced between December 28 and January 15, then there will be just 18 per cent fewer deaths.
Delaying until New Year’s Day would still reduce the death toll, but by less than if they were brought in earlier.
However, the researchers said their modelling includes many unknowns as some data is still uncertain.
For example, the Warwick team assumed omicron is half as likely to cause severe disease as delta, but the true figure, according to Sage, could be anywhere between 15 per cent and 80 per cent.
Despite this, the Warwick researchers said: “In all the scenarios modelled, rapidly enacted Step 2 measures reduce the peak of hospital pressure to about half its level under Plan B only.”
Under Plan B, people in England must work from home, are legally mandated to wear masks in certain settings, and must show proof of vaccination or a negative test to get into venues with large crowds.
The modelling gave an insight into the measures government scientists are looking at but did not guarantee they will be implemented.
The Cabinet last week rejected suggestions by government scientists to bring in tougher new restrictions before Christmas in the face of the omicron case surge.
Boris Johnson sided with a group of Cabinet ministers who argued more data on the impact of the omicron variant on hospitalisations and the vaccines was needed before tough new action.
However, the Cabinet is expected to meet again early next week to discuss imposing new restrictions. Parliament would need to be recalled to vote through any legal changes agreed.
The Government is also encouraging people to
take up their booster jab in a bid to beat the omicron variant. Every mobile phone owner in the UK will be
sent a text message on Boxing Day urging them to get a booster jab if they have not already done so, following a request from ministers to BT and other networks.
