Cornwall hospitality businesses warn notice is needed for any further Covid restrictions
New Year has been given the green light, but ministers have not ruled out tougher measures in January
Pubs, bars and restaurants in Cornwall have urged the government to give as much notice as possible if tougher coronavirus restrictions are to be introduced.
The Health Secretary has confirmed no new measures will be brought in before New Year but said people should "remain cautious" and take a lateral flow test before attending events.
Sajid Javid did not rule out the possibility of further restrictions from January, adding that ministers "will see" whether the data suggests they are needed.
On Monday, Boris Johnson was briefed by scientific advisors and echoed the call for caution.
He said: "We will continue to monitor the data carefully, but there will be no new restrictions introduced in England before the New Year.
"However, I would urge everyone to continue to act cautiously given the rising number of Omicron cases.
"Most importantly I urge everyone to get their first, second or booster jab without delay to protect yourselves and your loved ones".
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have already introduced tougher restrictions such as limits on gatherings.
Speaking in the run-up to Christmas, hospitality businesses in Helston spoke to us about the uncertainty in England and rumours of a circuit-breaker lockdown.
Simon is the landlord at The Bell Inn and told us that has already had an impact: "It's almost like a lockdown when it's not a lockdown, in effect.
"It's been very up and down to be honest. We've had some really busy nights but then other times it's been quite quiet. We haven't really had many Christmas party bookings because of it which we'd normally have".
Amy and her husband own Henlys Bar and Restaurant and said if tougher measures are on the cards, they need the worst-case scenario as soon as possible.
"If they said OK in one week, we're going to close for a month, then that would give us one week to take our stock down, to not order liberally and prepare our team and do all of that.
"And then if they were to turn round and say, after two weeks, actually you can open one week earlier, that would make such a difference but it is the uncertainty".
Bar manager at The Rodney Inn, Shan Johns, said: "I think we're getting to a point now where we've got to just live with it. The vaccination roll-out has been phenomenal down here and I think we've just got to get on with it now.
"The hospitality sector is really struggling as a whole throughout the country so we need to know what's going on and we need a bit of time and a bit of notice".