No 10 rejects idea Brits should limit socialising

The Prime Minister has stated that the government is not currently instructing people how to “live their lives” beyond the reintroduction of compulsory face coverings in specified settings and regarding new global travel rules.

Earlier today Dr Jenny Harries, who has served as chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency and head of NHS Test and Trace since April 2021, urged people to only socialise if “necessary”.

Boris Johnson told journalists: “We are not changing the guidance on how you should be living your life except in a couple of ways – putting a mask on in some contexts… and making sure we check people when they arrive in this country.

“We need to delay the seeding of omicron in this country, that is why tough checks are the borders are so important,” said, adding: “But we don’t see any need currently to change the guidance about how people are living their lives and provided people continue to be sensible and cautious.”

In light of Dr Harries comments, he explained: “What Jenny is saying is… people should continue to do things like make sure they should have lots of fresh air, wash hands, take precautions [but] we are not going to change the overall guidance.”

In lights of suggestions that the NHS will find its overwhelmed with an accelerated booster jab timetable, Mr Johnson said he thought there was “no doubt at all” that the health service, volunteers and the military will “rise to the challenge”.

Mr Johnson also confirmed that he is “proud to say” that he is scheduled to receive his Covid booster jab later this week.