Boris Johnson faces biggest Tory rebellion yet over new Covid restrictions
More than 70 Tory backbenchers are threatening to go against the PM
Last updated 27th May 2022
Boris Johnson is expected to face his biggest rebellion as Prime Minster when MPs vote on new Covid restrictions this afternoon.
Over 70 Tory backbenchers may vote against the Prime Minister's latest 'Plan B' Covid restrictions for England.
It's reported that as many as 10 ministerial aids could also resign to express their opposition to the new regulations, with voting on them to take place on Tuesday.
Following a House of Commons debate today (14 December), MPs will vote on three new measures:
- The newly reinstated rules on face masks, which have become compulsory on public transport and in most indoor venues, apart from pubs and restaurants.
- A measure allowing fully-vaccinated people that come into contact with someone with Covid to take daily lateral flow tests proving a negative result instead of self isolating.
- Bringing in a Covid pass for large venues and nightclubs, so only people with proof of a double vaccination or negative test can enter.
The measures are still likely to pass in Parliament as Labour says it will support them, despite there being a significant number of Tory MPs expected to rebel.
The Prime Minister said the new measures represent a "balanced and proportionate" response to the threat of the Omicron variant.
The health service in England declared a "Level 4 National Incident", meaning the NHS will lead the response to the virus instead of local trusts taking independent action.
See what else is changing due to Plan B:
Face coverings
Face coverings have already become an added feature of our lives since they were reinstated at the beginning of December, but from Friday 10th December face masks will also be needed indoors in places like cinemas and theatres.
Boris Johnson said rules around the wearing of face coverings would be "further extended" to "most public indoor venues" including theatres and cinemas.
The Prime Minister told a press briefing in Downing Street: "There will of course be exemptions where it is not practical, such as when eating, drinking, exercising or singing."
Working from home
Under the rules of "Plan B", the government has reimposed the need to work from home where possible in order to stem the spread of the virus. This guidance comes into place from Monday 13th December.
Nightclubs
Under the government's "Plan B" , COVID passports will become necessary to get into all nightclubs. This is due to the close proximity people would be to each other in the venue and help to reduce the spread of the virus.
Indoor spaces
Indoor settings that have more than 500 people unseated will require a COVID Pass to enter. Examples of settings that would need attendees to have a COVID Pass would include music venues and large receptions.
Outdoor events
Outdoor events are not exempt from using COVID Passes either. Unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people will need people to have a vaccine pass. This includes outdoor music festivals, such as Glastonbury Festival.
Stadiums
COVID Passes will be needed to get into any event that is expecting more than 10,000 people to attend. This would include major sports events such as football matches, as well as music concerts in arenas.
The Prime Minister said: "The NHS Covid pass can still be obtained with two doses but we will keep this under review as the boosters roll out.
"And having taken clinical advice since the emergence of Omicron, a negative lateral flow test will also be sufficient."