Boris Johnson has yet to decide whether to introduce tougher Covid restrictions before Christmas, but has ordered an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday afternoon.
The government is still “monitoring” the latest data, No 10 says – despite a chorus of calls from leading scientists for a crackdown now, to prevent the NHS being overwhelmed.
The prime minister is thought to have been presented with three options, ranging from mere guidance to people to be more cautious to a full lockdown at some point before the New Year.
“At this point we are still monitoring the data and keeping a close eye on it,” his spokesman said, adding that fresh information was coming in “hourly” in some cases.
“More clarity” was needed, he argued, including on the impact of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant on “severe illnesses, hospitalisations and deaths”.
However, Mr Johnson is facing opposition to new curbs from within his own cabinet, at a time when he is severely weakened by rows over sleaze and lockdown-busting parties and after his humiliation in the North Shropshire by-election.
He has promised MPs will be recalled to back any further restrictions – which could again leave him dependent on Labour votes to get approval for them.
The spokesman said the government also needed to “strike the right balance between lives and livelihoods”, in setting a fresh course.
“This is a fast-moving situation,” he said, revealing Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance, the chief medical and scientific advisers, will brief the cabinet.
The Sage advisory group has warned of the need for urgent new measures to stem a huge surge of hospital admission, telling the government: “Delaying until 2022 would greatly reduce the effectiveness of such interventions.”
Leading scientists have spoken out, including Professor Stephen Reicher, who chairs the Spi-B group, who said: “The safest thing is not to meet up before Christmas.”
Mr Johnson’s spokesman would not be drawn on whether new regulations – or guidance, not requiring a Commons recall – is more likely.
“We will take any necessary steps in the interest of protecting lives and livelihoods,” he said, noting both approaches have been followed.
He was also forced to defend the prime ministers failure to attend a Cobra meeting, on Sunday, with the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – angering Nicola Sturgeon.
Mr Johnson had attended other meetings, the spokesman insisted – arguing it was appropriate for the Cabinet Office minister Stephen Barclay to take the chair, for a gathering of the devolved governments.
He also did not rule out a loosening of isolation rules, so that people who test positive for Covid have to isolate for only 7, and not 10, days, something thought to be under consideration.
“We will keep anything like that, on the isolation period, under review, based on the latest clinical advice and we would update if that were to change,” the spokesman said.
