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Grant Shapps has said he believes “with some confidence” that no further COVID restrictions will be required in England before Christmas and that people can enjoy the festive period as planned.
The transport secretary told Kay Burley that the government wanted people “to be sensible but to enjoy their Christmas“, noting that increased testing and vaccines had put the UK “in a much better position” this year.
Pressed on the prospect of more restrictions being imposed in the next few weeks – forcing people to change their festive plans – Mr Shapps said the government had “already taken a huge number of steps”, adding that “right now” no further limitations were planned.
There were 59,610 new COVID infections and 150 further deaths recorded within 28 days of a positive test reported in government figures on Tuesday.
Live COVID updates as MPs support Plan B restrictions
Yesterday MPs voted to approve Plan B measures including, the mandatory wearing of face masks in some settings, the use of the COVID pass for some events and mandatory vaccination for NHS staff.
Following the votes, government sources said that, should further COVID restrictions be required in the coming weeks, MPs would be given a further vote in the Commons on possible new rules – even if it meant recalling parliament from its Christmas recess.
But Mr Shapps stressed to Sky News that he believed people would be able to enjoy Christmas “with only what has already been announced”.
Asked whether England could follow Scotland’s lead and implement guidance that people should only mix in groups of up to three households over the festive period, he said: “We set out in England, for people…
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Source : skynews
