COVID news live: Boris Johnson urges caution over Christmas, but is yet to announce restrictions – as Treasury reveals it will ‘say more’ on financial support later | UK News

Cabinet Office minister Steve Barclay has told Sky News that the government is looking at the evidence when it comes to more restrictions – refusing to rule any out.

Despite not appearing on Kay Burley’s show this morning, Sky’s Tamara Cohen grabbed him after an appearance elsewhere, and asked him about the prospect of restrictions. 

“We keep these issues under close review,” he said.

“Obviously, there’s considerable uncertainty within the Omicron data – we’re concerned about the increasing growth in cases, particularly in London. 

“But there is a considerable time lag between those catching the infection and presenting as cases at hospital and of course, that needs to be looked at… alongside the booster campaign, the increase in treatments, the changes in behaviour as a consequence of Plan B, which will also have an impact on those hospital admissions.

“We’re balancing that against the wider economic consequences of any further restrictions which also carry health risks… in terms of the mental health consequences, for example, as well as those wider economic consequences.”

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-news-uk-latest-live-omicron-covid-variant-skynews-12469075

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