It is because of the threat from Omicron that the Prime Minister announced last Wednesday the Government will move to Plan B in England. Evidence now shows that Omicron is doubling here in the UK every two to three days. Plan B means that people must wear a face covering on public transport and in indoor public spaces and should work from home if they can. Subject to a vote in Parliament, from Wednesday 15th December, people will need to show a negative lateral flow test to get into nightclubs and some large events if they are not double vaccinated.
It is important to note that Plan B is not lockdown. There are no business closures and no restrictions on social gatherings. Work from home is in guidance – there is no mandatory “stay at home” order. The only legal restrictions are mandatory face masks in most indoor public places and requiring proof of a negative test or double vaccination to enter some venues (specifically nightclubs and mass events, but not pubs or restaurants). Contrary to media reports, the Government is not introducing “vaccine passports” – a negative test is enough. Like many of my colleagues, I voiced my concerns over the principle of vaccine passports and pleased that ministers listened to our concerns and are not proceeding with vaccine passports as originally intended in Plan B. For those who have written to me saying that I was not on the Spectator list of rebellious MPs on this issue, I would like to point out that being public is not always the best way of persuading ministers; I find they are more amenable to listening if lobbied privately using a strong argument. In other words, just because I am not on a list, does not mean I have neglected raising my concerns. To reiterate, anyone will be able to attend mass events and nightclubs if they show proof of a negative lateral flow test, regardless of vaccination status. Unvaccinated people can get lateral flow tests for free from gov.uk or pharmacies and take them at home. People who have had two vaccine doses will not need to take a test. Boosters are not required and under-18s are exempt.
The scientists still do not know enough about the Omicron variant and its effect on hospitalisation and deaths - there is a time lag. We do know that the Omicron variant spreads very quickly and the rates of infection are increasing rapidly even in people who are double vaccinated. The restrictions are being put in place to slow down the spread of transmission to give a bit more time to get boosters into millions more people. Early data shows that getting a third booster dose prevents around 75% of people getting any Covid symptoms from Omicron, which is very positive news. If the variant proves to be as mild as some are convinced it is, then I expect restrictions will be lifted as they were in the summer. If the variant is more severe, then the Government has rightly acted quickly to minimise the impact. We will soon know either way.
I know a number of constituents are concerned about bringing back some restrictions but if we do nothing now and the virus proves to increase hospitalisations and deaths in vaccinated people, I do not believe that this is what the majority of people would want. Whilst most of the people currently hospitalised are not vaccinated, there are reports of double vaccinated people now being hospitalised with the Omicron variant. With the 75% protection that boosters offer, it is absolutely vital that we turbo-charge the delivery of these boosters and get as many people jabbed now to help protect as many people as possible, especially as there are still millions of our population who are not vaccinated for health or other reasons.
As regards unvaccinated people, I have to say this; if you are not vaccinated for health reasons, that is understandable. However, for those who are choosing not to be vaccinated, you are putting our health and economy at risk and place us all at risk of more severe restrictions. Vaccination reduces the risk of serious illness and hospitalisation. An increase in hospitalisation puts enormous pressure on the NHS and more severe restrictions in the form of lockdowns have been previously imposed to avoid overwhelming the NHS. It is unvaccinated people who will put the most strain on the NHS, not only denying cancer patients and the like from vital treatment but leaving us all vulnerable. The majority of the British public recognise that with rights come responsibilities and I am appealing to everyone who is yet to be vaccinated to please come forward and take up the vaccines for yourselves, your families and your communities. Your country needs you to do this.
The target to get all adults boosters by the end of December is an ambitious target. Our vaccine performance has been and is incredible and pulling out all the stops for people to #GetBoostedNow is exactly what we should be doing rather than impose more severe restrictions. The regulations ensure these measures will not be in place longer than necessary; these regulations automatically expire after 6 weeks (on 26th January, having come into force on 10th and 15th December). The measures will be reviewed after 3 weeks and I have been assured that if the measures can be lifted earlier than 26th January, they will be.
There continues to be an enormous pressure on NHS staff and primary care services and the Government will assist this emergency operation by deploying 42 military planning teams across every region, standing up additional vaccine sites and mobile units, extending opening hours so clinics are open 7 days a week – with more appointments early in the morning, in the evening, and at weekends – and training thousands more volunteer vaccinators. The Government will set out further steps in the days ahead.
Our exit strategy is vaccines; two doses of vaccine are not enough to give the level of protection we all need, but our scientists are confident that with a third dose – a booster dose – we can all bring our level of protection back up.
We all have a critical role to play in this national mission to Get Boosted Now and I would urge that if you have not yet had a vaccine at all, then please get yourself at least some protection with a jab as quickly as possible, and, if you have already had your booster, encourage your friends and family to do the same.
With kind regards and warmest wishes for Christmas,
Sally-Ann