Government wins vote to bring in 'Plan B' restrictions in England
The Prime Minister faced a significant rebellion from Tory MPs
Last updated 27th May 2022
New restrictions, including the introduction of Covid passports, have been approved by Parliament despite a sizeable Tory rebellion during the vote
Following a tumultuous debate in Westminster, the Prime Minister's plan to bring in new 'Plan B' measures in England to combat the Omicron variant was passed.
From Wednesday (December 15th), Covid passports will become mandatory to enter certain indoor settings in England, such as nightclubs.
That measure was passed with a backing of 369 to 126, despite some Conservative MPs rebelling and voting against the measures.
Other measures that will become legal include the wearing of face coverings in most indoor areas with the exception of pubs and restaurants, which passed with a 400 majority: 441 votes in favour, 41 against.
Mandatory vaccines for frontline NHS workers was also voted through, 385 in favour, 100 against.
Whilst a number of Conservative MPs refused to back the measures, particularly the Covid passports, support from the opposition - including the Labour Party - helped to get the Prime Minister's plans over the line.
The vote comes as the UK battles to control the spread of the Omicron variant. On Monday, over 3,000 cases of the strain were in the UK, a 65% increase on the numbers from Saturday.
A statement from Health Secretary Sajid Javid found that roughly 20% of the cases being discovered in the UK are of the Omicron variant.
On Tuesday, new rules kicked in for daily testing for those who have been in contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus. Those who are fully vaccinated will not need to self-isolate unless they test positive, which they will be obliged to self-isolate for ten days.
Now that the vote has passed, here is what will become mandatory in '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."