By MPs to vote on new Covid restrictions
MPs are set to vote on new Covid restrictions for England, with 70 Conservative MPs expected to rebel again the Prime Minister.
Boris Johnson has defended his plans as a “proportionate” in response to rising cases of the Omicron variant.
However, his proposal to make Covid passes a requirement of entering large venues such as nightclubs has angered many of his own MPs as well as members of the public.
The measures are still likely to pass as Labour says it will support them.
Following a House of Commons debate on Tuesday afternoon, there are three key votes for MPs:
- The new rules on face masks which came into force last week. Under these restrictions, face coverings have become compulsory in most indoor settings, except for pubs and restaurants
- A measure allowing fully-vaccinated people who have been exposed to a positive Covid case to avoid self-isolation if they take daily lateral flow tests, and receive a negative result
- The introduction of a Covid pass which would ensure that someone can enter a large venue, if they can prove they are fully vaccinated or have a negative lateral flow test
If 70 Conservative MPs voted against the government, it would amount to the largest rebellion Mr Johnson will have faced during his time in office.
Furthermore, a tory rebellion would also make Mr Johnson wary of introducing further Covid measures in the new year.
The UK reported 54,661 confirmed cases of all Covid variants on Monday (13 December), with 38 deaths.
Hospitalisations across the country for Covid currently sits as 7,373 people.
