The Guardian also leads with the Omicron variant appearing to be milder than Delta with a 15-20% reduced chance of attending hospital, as it also reports that daily COVID cases topped 100,000 for the first time on Wednesday.
Christmas will go ahead without any restrictions on socialising, reports the Guardian.
Further coronavirus restrictions are unlikely before Christmas after cabinet ministers urged the PM to hold out until the data is clearer, The Guardian says.It says Boris Johnson has been accused of not following scientists’ advice to immediately bring in tougher rules.
Boris Johnson is pictured in the Downing Street garden with a number of staff last year.The Guardian says it was taken when mixing between households was limited to two people outdoors, and when guidance said in-person work meetings should only take place if “absolutely necessary”.Downing Street insists the picture shows a “staff meeting”.
The Guardian also leads on the story of Simon Case, who has been forced to step down from the inquiry into alleged lockdown-breaking parties at Downing Street, after claims that there was a party held in his office.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has cut short a trip to the US to return and speak to businesses leaders as Omicron continues to hit footfall, The Guardian reports.
A warning to limit Christmas socialising is on the front of The Guardian.
The Guardian says a big Tory rebellion over vaccine passports underlines the prime minister’s “increasingly shaky grip over his party”.
The NHS has been told to prepare for an influx of COVID hospital admissions by discharging as many people as it can to free up beds, The Guardian reports.
The Guardian leads with Boris Johnson’s “gamble” on one million booster jabs a day to tackle the Omicron variant.