Government not introducing 'Plan B' coronavirus measures 'at this point'

The health secretary has said the government will not be implementing its 'Plan B' coronavirus measures ‘at this point’.

Sajid Javid warned that the pandemic was not over and ministers would be "staying vigilant" going into the winter months.

The UK recorded 43,738 coronavirus cases on Tuesday and Javid said they could "yet go as high as 100,000 a day". Across the country there are now around 1,000 hospitalisations a day, which has led NHS chiefs to call for the return of some coronavirus restrictions.

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference today (20 October), Javid said: “This pandemic is not over. Thanks to the vaccination programme the link between cases, hospitalisations and deaths has significantly weakened, but it is not broken. We must all remember that this virus will be with us for the long term and that it remains a threat.

“We’re looking closely at the data and we won’t be implementing our Plan B of contingency measures at this point, but we will be staying vigilant preparing for all eventualities while strengthening our vial defences that can help us fight back against this virus.”

Possible 'Plan B' measures could include mandatory face coverings in certain settings, asking people to work from home for a limited time, and introducing vaccine certification for settings including nightclubs and where more than 500 people are gathering indoors.

The impact of the pandemic on hospitality continues to be felt across the sector, with around 9,900 licensed premises believed to have closed across the country since March 2020.