Prognosis

Boris Johnson Rules Out Tighter Covid Rules Before Christmas

But prime minister says tougher curbs possible after Dec. 25
Johnson says insufficient evidence to justify new regulations

WATCH: There isn’t enough evidence yet to say whether the omicron variant is less severe, UCL says.Source: Bloomberg

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By Alex Morales

December 21, 2021 at 5:00 PM UTC

Updated on

December 21, 2021 at 6:00 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Boris Johnson ruled out stricter pandemic rules before Christmas, as he sought to draw a line under speculation Britons might have to tear up their festive plans for a second year.

But in a video address to the nation, the U.K. prime minister urged caution, saying “the situation remains finely-balanced” due to the omicron Covid-19 variant and that ministers may yet move to impose further curbs after Dec. 25.