British Prime Minister Boris Johnson records a video in London, Britain, Dec. 21, 2021. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed Tuesday that he will not introduce any further COVID restrictions in England before Christmas, but warned that the situation remains "finely balanced" ahead of the new year. In a video posted on social media by Downing Street, the prime minister said: "People can go ahead with their Christmas plans". However, he urged caution and suggested people should take a test before meeting elderly relatives. (Andrew Parsons/No 10 Downing Street/Handout via Xinhua)
LONDON, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed Tuesday that he will not introduce any further COVID restrictions in England before Christmas, but warned that the situation remains "finely balanced" ahead of the new year.
In a video posted on social media by Downing Street, the prime minister said: "People can go ahead with their Christmas plans". However, he urged caution and suggested people should take a test before meeting elderly relatives.
Meanwhile, the prime minister warned that the rapid spread of the Omicron variant meant curbs could still be imposed after Christmas.
Another 15,363 Omicron cases have been found in Britain, the biggest daily increase since the COVID-19 variant was detected in the country, taking the total Omicron cases found in the country to 60,508, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed Tuesday.
Britain reported 90,629 coronavirus cases in the latest 24-hour period, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 11,542,143, according to official figures released Tuesday.
The country also reported a further 172 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 147,433, with 7,801 COVID-19 patients still in hospital.
More than 89 percent of people aged 12 and over in Britain have had their first dose of vaccine and more than 81 percent have received both doses, according to the latest figures. More than 52 percent have received booster jabs, or the third dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the United States have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines. Enditem
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson records a video in London, Britain, Dec. 21, 2021. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed Tuesday that he will not introduce any further COVID restrictions in England before Christmas, but warned that the situation remains "finely balanced" ahead of the new year. In a video posted on social media by Downing Street, the prime minister said: "People can go ahead with their Christmas plans". However, he urged caution and suggested people should take a test before meeting elderly relatives. (Andrew Parsons/No 10 Downing Street/Handout via Xinhua)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson records a video in London, Britain, Dec. 21, 2021. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed Tuesday that he will not introduce any further COVID restrictions in England before Christmas, but warned that the situation remains "finely balanced" ahead of the new year. In a video posted on social media by Downing Street, the prime minister said: "People can go ahead with their Christmas plans". However, he urged caution and suggested people should take a test before meeting elderly relatives. (Andrew Parsons/No 10 Downing Street/Handout via Xinhua)
