Reports say stricter Covid rules being discussed by government ministers to tackle the spread of Omicron

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Reports have indicated that stricter measures could be taken on the Covid-19 virus as government ministers explore ways to tackle the surge in Omicron cases.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday was presented with a number of options for a so-called Plan C, from “light stimulus guidance to the people, all the way to lockdown,” according to the Financial Times.

The newspaper cited sources who said Johnson still wanted to go the route of guidance, but also had to be realistic about the Omicron threat.

Meanwhile, the newspaper reported that draft regulations on the “circuit breaker” have been prepared for a period of two weeks. Regulations will ban indoor non-work-related gatherings, and bars and restaurants will have to serve customers outdoors.

A waiter carries meals for some of the few dining customers at Cassia Sambuca Restaurant in North Shields Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA

According to the BBC, leaked minutes from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) said scientists had told ministers that stricter measures were needed “very soon”.

The BBC reported that advisers recommended moving to the restrictions outlined in step one and two of the roadmap to exiting the lockdown in the spring. This includes a ban on internal mixing and internal hospitality.

It comes as the UK reported more than 90,000 new cases of Covid in another record daily total on Friday.

A government spokesperson said: “The government will continue to look closely at all emerging data and will keep our measures under review as we learn more about this alternative.”

It comes after Rishi Sunak cut short his US trip and returned from California to hold talks on the crisis with business leaders concerned about the impact of Covid measures.

The chancellor met virtually with the Confederation of British Industry, the Federation of Small Businesses and the British Chambers of Commerce on Friday afternoon.

The groups have raised concerns about the impact of the cancellation across hospitality in the run-up to Christmas, and the importance of clear messages from the government.

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Delegated departments in the UK are calling for more financial support as Omicron cases rise. The Cobra meeting will be held at the end of the week with the leaders of the mandated countries.

The Prime Minister warned Mr Johnson that Omicron represented a “very serious threat to us now”.

During a visit on Friday to the vaccination center in Hillingdon, west London, he said: “We are seeing a big wave coming and people have to be prepared and have to understand what that involves.”

Asked about the conflicting messages from the government about social media over the Christmas period, Johnson said: “What Chris Whitty and I are saying is that there is a big wave of Omicron coming.

“People need to be wise. You need to think about your risk budget.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes a hit Credit: Paul Edwards/PA

Another 93,045 cases of Covid-19 were recorded in the UK as of 9am on Friday, a new record since the pandemic began and 4,669 higher than the previous record set on Thursday.

There are 7,611 people in hospital with the virus, an increase of 163 patients (2%) from the previous week.

London has seen some of the biggest spikes in cases in the past seven days.

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