Experts warn that it’s too late to shut down the circuit breaker after Christmas

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A senior government adviser said the most effective way to stop the spread of the alternative Omicron coronavirus would be to shut down the circuit breaker before Christmas.

It’s clear that Plan B measures alone will not be enough to stem the rising numbers of cases, said Stephen Reacher, a professor of social psychology at the University of St Andrews and a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).

Speaking to Radio Times in his personal capacity, Professor Reicher said the time for action was now.

It comes amid reports that officials are drafting plans to shut down the circuit breaker for two weeks after Christmas.

The Financial Times reported that Boris Johnson was offered a number of options on Friday under his so-called Plan C, from “light stimulus guidance to people, all the way to lockdown”.

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The newspaper quoted allies of the prime minister who claimed that Johnson still wanted to go the route of guidance, but that he also had to be realistic about the Omicron threat.

Leaked Sage minutes, seen by the BBC, said scientists had told ministers that tougher measures needed to be taken “soon”.

Medical staff and volunteers prepare footage of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine at the Vaccination Center in Ramsgate, Kent (Leon Neal/PA) / PA Wire

The BBC reports that advisers have recommended moving to the restrictions mentioned in the first and second step of easing lockdown restrictions in the spring. This included a ban on internal mixing and internal hospitality.

They reportedly warned against delaying further interventions until 2022.

The Times reported that regulations have been drafted that could prohibit meeting others indoors except for business purposes and that bars and restaurants will be limited to outdoor service only, for two weeks after Christmas.

On Saturday, Professor Reacher told Times Radio that “all science indicates that (Plan B) will not be enough.”

He said: “The only way really, or at least the most effective way, that we can have an immediate impact is to reduce the number of contacts we have.

“In many ways, the most effective way to reduce contact is to have a circuit breaker.

“Now, you can have it after Christmas, the problem is that after Christmas it may be too late, perhaps by then we will have a massive wave of infections with all the impact on society.

“When people say ‘Look, we don’t want to shut down’, of course, we don’t want to shut down. But the problem right now, things are shutting down anyway, because of the spread of infection.

“So I think we need to act now.”

Lord Victor Adepoel, president of the NHS, has voiced support for the circuit breaker, warning against a cautionary approach.

Boris Johnson was reportedly offered a number of options on Friday (Leon Neal/PA) / PA Wire

“I will support the circuit breaker,” he told Radio Times. My members will support the circuit breaker.

“We have been asking for Plan B for some time now and are happy that it will be voted on. I think the government should be prepared to summon Parliament if further interventions are needed.”

He added: “The fact of the matter is we have to be on the safe side. We have to protect the NHS and our public services. We don’t have an economy without health.”

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.”

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