heard from the health secretary sajid javid who said the two cases in the uk were linked to travel in southern africa tour, and four more countries have now been added to the red list of travel restrictions. so, ten african countries so far on that uk red list for travel because of this new variant. let's get the latest from our health correspondent katharine da costa. two cases identified of this new variant here in the uk. what more do we know about those cases? the in the uk. what more do we know about those cases?— about those cases? the health secretary said _ about those cases? the health secretary said one _ about those cases? the health secretary said one was - about those cases? the health secretary said one was in - about those cases? the health - secretary said one was in chelmsford in essex and the other in nottingham, that they are linked, that their households are isolating. 0k, thank you. let's listen in to the prime minister. the ok, thank you. let's listen in to the prime minister.— 0k, thank you. let's listen in to the prime minister. the plan against covid has been _ the prime minister. the plan against covid has been working, _ the prime minister. the plan against covid has been working, we - the prime minister. the plan against covid has been working, we have - the prime minister. the plan against| covid has been working, we have had the fastest _ covid has been working, we have had the fastest vaccine relative in europe — the fastest vaccine relative in europe and now the fastest booster campaign _ europe and now the fastest booster campaign in europe with almost 16.8 million _ campaign in europe with almost 16.8 million boosters in people's arms. the case _ million boosters in people's arms. the case numbers have remained relatively— the case numbers have remained relatively high, but we are seeing falling _ relatively high, but we are seeing falling hospitalisations and falling numbers of deaths. but on wednesday we received _ numbers of deaths. but on wednesday we received news of a new variant, the so—called omicron variant, and i want _ the so—called omicron variant, and i want to— the so—called omicron variant, and i want to express my deep gratitude to scientists— want to express my deep gratitude to scientists in south africa who identified this new variant and shared — identified this new variant and shared the information widely and immediately. this variant is spreading around the world with two cases— spreading around the world with two cases so_ spreading around the world with two cases so far identified here in the uk. cases so far identified here in the uk as_ cases so far identified here in the uk. as always, i must stress this, as always — uk. as always, i must stress this, as always with a new variant there are many— as always with a new variant there are many things that we just cannot know_ are many things that we just cannot know at— are many things that we just cannot know at this early stage. but our scientists— know at this early stage. but our scientists are learning more hour by hour~ _ scientists are learning more hour by hour~ and _ scientists are learning more hour by hour~ and it — scientists are learning more hour by hour. and it does appear that omicron _ hour. and it does appear that omicron spreads very rapidly and can be spread _ omicron spreads very rapidly and can be spread between people who are double _ be spread between people who are double vaccinated. there is also a very extensive mutation which means it diverges _ very extensive mutation which means it diverges quite significantly from previous— it diverges quite significantly from previous configurations of the virus: _ previous configurations of the virus. and _ previous configurations of the virus, and as a result it might at least, _ virus, and as a result it might at least, in — virus, and as a result it might at least, in part, reduce the protection of our vaccines over time — protection of our vaccines over time so— protection of our vaccines over time. so we need to take targeted and proportionate measures now as a precaution _ and proportionate measures now as a precaution while we find out more. and first, — precaution while we find out more. and first, we need to slow down the seeding _ and first, we need to slow down the seeding of— and first, we need to slow down the seeding of this variant in our country _ seeding of this variant in our country. we need to buy time for our scientists— country. we need to buy time for our scientists to — country. we need to buy time for our scientists to understand exactly what _ scientists to understand exactly what we — scientists to understand exactly what we are dealing with and for us to get— what we are dealing with and for us to get more — what we are dealing with and for us to get more people vaccinated, and above _ to get more people vaccinated, and above all. _ to get more people vaccinated, and above all, to get more people boosted _ above all, to get more people boosted. as well as to help our nhs prepare _ boosted. as well as to help our nhs prepare in _ boosted. as well as to help our nhs prepare in what is already a challenging winter. so yesterday, we took steps _ challenging winter. so yesterday, we took steps to protect the uk against the variant— took steps to protect the uk against the variant coming here from the southern — the variant coming here from the southern african countries, and earlier— southern african countries, and earlier today added four macro more countries _ earlier today added four macro more countries to — earlier today added four macro more countries to the red list. but we now need — countries to the red list. but we now need to go further and implement a proportionate testing regime for arrivals— a proportionate testing regime for arrivals from across the whole world — arrivals from across the whole world so _ arrivals from across the whole world. so we are not going to stop peopie _ world. so we are not going to stop people travelling. i want to stress that _ people travelling. i want to stress that we — people travelling. i want to stress that. we are not going to stop peopie — that. we are not going to stop people travelling but we will require _ people travelling but we will require anyone who enters the uk to take a _ require anyone who enters the uk to take a pcr _ require anyone who enters the uk to take a pcr test by the end of the second _ take a pcr test by the end of the second day after their arrival, and to self— second day after their arrival, and to self isolate until they have a negative — to self isolate until they have a negative result. second, we need to slow negative result. second, we need to stow down— negative result. second, we need to slow down the spread of this variant here in— slow down the spread of this variant here in the — slow down the spread of this variant here in the uk because measures at the irorder— here in the uk because measures at the border can only ever minimise and delay— the border can only ever minimise and delay the arrival of a new variant, — and delay the arrival of a new variant, ratherthan and delay the arrival of a new variant, rather than stop it altogether. so in addition to the measures— altogether. so in addition to the measures we are already taking to locate _ measures we are already taking to locate those who have been in countries _ locate those who have been in countries of concern over the last ten days, — countries of concern over the last ten days, we will require all contacts— ten days, we will require all contacts of those who test positive with a _ contacts of those who test positive with a suspected case of omicron to self isoiate — with a suspected case of omicron to self isolate for ten days, regardless of your vaccination status — regardless of your vaccination status. we will also go further in asking _ status. we will also go further in asking att— status. we will also go further in asking all of you to help contain the spread of this variant by tightening up the rules on face coverings— tightening up the rules on face coverings in shops and on public transport — coverings in shops and on public transport. and third, and most importantly, we need to bolster our protections— importantly, we need to bolster our protections against this new variant~ _ protections against this new variant. we don't yet exactly know how effective our vaccines will be against _ how effective our vaccines will be against omicron. but we have good reasons— against omicron. but we have good reasons for— against omicron. but we have good reasons for believing they will provide — reasons for believing they will provide at least some measure of protection, — provide at least some measure of protection, and if you're boosted, your— protection, and if you're boosted, your response is likely to be stronger, _ your response is likely to be stronger, so it is more vital than ever— stronger, so it is more vital than ever that — stronger, so it is more vital than ever that people get theirjabs and that we _ ever that people get theirjabs and that we get those boosters into arms as fast _ that we get those boosters into arms as fast as _ that we get those boosters into arms as fast as possible. so from today we are _ as fast as possible. so from today we are going to boost the booster campaign~ — we are going to boost the booster campaign. we are already planning to do 6 million _ campaign. we are already planning to do 6 millionjabs in england alone over the _ do 6 millionjabs in england alone over the next three weeks, and now we are _ over the next three weeks, and now we are looking to go further. so the health _ we are looking to go further. so the health secretary has asked the jcvi, the joint _ health secretary has asked the jcvi, the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation, to consider giving boosters _ and immunisation, to consider giving boosters to— and immunisation, to consider giving boosters to as wide a group as possible. _ boosters to as wide a group as possible, as well as reducing the -ap possible, as well as reducing the gap between your second dose and your booster. and of course, we are speaking _ your booster. and of course, we are speaking to — your booster. and of course, we are speaking to our counterparts in the devotved _ speaking to our counterparts in the devolved administrations and we will continue _ devolved administrations and we will continue to— devolved administrations and we will continue to coordinate with them. the measures that we're taking todav, — the measures that we're taking today, including on our borders and on face _ today, including on our borders and on face masks are temporary and precautionary. and we will review them _ precautionary. and we will review them in _ precautionary. and we will review them in three weeks. at that point we should — them in three weeks. at that point we should have much greater information about the continuing effectiveness of our vaccines. i very— effectiveness of our vaccines. i very much— effectiveness of our vaccines. i very much hope that we will find that we — very much hope that we will find that we continue to be in a strong position— that we continue to be in a strong position and we can lift these measures again. but right now, this is the _ measures again. but right now, this is the responsible course of action to slow— is the responsible course of action to slow down the seeding and the spread _ to slow down the seeding and the spread of— to slow down the seeding and the spread of this new variant, and to maximise — spread of this new variant, and to maximise our defences so that we protect— maximise our defences so that we protect the — maximise our defences so that we protect the gains we have worked for so hard _ protect the gains we have worked for so hard and — protect the gains we have worked for so hard and so that we can continue to save _ so hard and so that we can continue to save lives — so hard and so that we can continue to save lives. thank you. i'm going to save lives. thank you. i'm going to ask— to save lives. thank you. i'm going to ask chris— to save lives. thank you. i'm going to ask chris do the slides.- to ask chris do the slides. thank ou, to ask chris do the slides. thank you. prime _ to ask chris do the slides. thank you, prime minister. _ to ask chris do the slides. thank you, prime minister. first - to ask chris do the slides. thank you, prime minister. first slide, j you, prime minister. first slide, please. we thought it was sensible to start with the existing situation which is almost entirely delta because that is the problem for people who are currently being infected currently in hospital and currently dying. it isn't to say that delta is worse than omicron, simply to say this is what the majority, by far the majority of cases at the moment are. so if we look at the current situation, the situation remains that in terms of numbers of cases, overall it is, in our view, numbers of cases, overall it is, in ourview, broadly numbers of cases, overall it is, in our view, broadly flat. numbers of cases, overall it is, in ourview, broadly flat. sometimes numbers of cases, overall it is, in our view, broadly flat. sometimes it is going up and sometimes it is going down. it went up, for example, yesterday. in terms of numbers of cases. but that hides the fact that essentially there are three different patterns. in younger children there is quite significant transmission at this point in time and rates are increasing in many parts of the country. at the under down the other end of the age spectrum, as a result of the booster process, the rates are falling and we are seeing an improvement in the groups that are most vulnerable and in between those ages i would say the rates are broadly flat, slightly higher in certain ages and slightly lower in others but those are the three broad patterns. next slide, please. as a result of the fact that the numbers in the older age groups and vulnerable people are getting there booster vaccination, the numbers going into hospital, despite the high and, in some areas, rising overall numbers, the numbers going into hospital are gradually decreasing. this is not a sudden drop. this is a gradual drifting down. but if the numbers overall remain roughly as they are, we should hope that this should continue to be the case as the booster campaign, which is very successful, very large numbers of people coming forward, continues to provide significant additional protection to people over the next weeks. next slide, please. and this is fortunately translating again into a gradual reduction in the number of people who are dying of covid. looking at the vaccination programme that the prime minister talked about, we are continuing to see increases in the number of people coming forward for their first vaccine, and also people coming forward for their second vaccine as part of their primary course. that is absolutely essential. anybody who is not vaccinated can i please strongly encourage you to do so. the rates are already very high with delta and we now have this new risk coming through. next slide, please. and when we look at the booster programme, rates of this are going very well at the moment, as you see, day by day the number of people who are getting the significant additional protection from the booster are increasing. that is the summary in terms of the overall epidemic. nowjust moving on to a few additional facts on the omicron variantjust to add to what the prime minister has said. we know that cases have been seen out of four countries in southern africa tour are notjust south africa, and we know that they have been imported into several countries around the world, including hong kong, which reported one of the first cases, belgium and most recent reports suggesting germany and now in the uk. we expect the numbers to continue to rise around the world over the next few days. that is our very strong expectation, and the numbers of countries that will be reporting this will continue to rise. that is, i think a virtually inevitable. here in the uk, as the prime minister says, there are two cases that have been formally reported. the first in essex and the second in nottingham. both of those are linked together, so they are part of the same cluster, these are not independent cases, these are part of the same cluster and they're helping all the public health authorities, they are self isolating and there is contact tracing going on by the uk health security agency around all of these. ijust security agency around all of these. i just wanted to say a little security agency around all of these. ijust wanted to say a little bit about how the virus, the reason we are concerned about this virus, and essentially it is, as the prime minister said, two different things. the first question is, is a virus capable of spreading? and this one is spreading rapidly in many areas. so, for example, in the gauteng area of south africa up to 90% of the cases that have been reported are of this new variant, so spread is clear and it is spreading around the world, so it has achieved the first thing, it definitely can spread. the second question is, to what extent is that because it is able to escape immunity from prior infection or from vaccination? we do not at this stage no, but what we do know is that there are quite extensive mutations on the spike protein, which is an important part of the virus, and the reason why that is important is that is the bit which all the vaccines are against, and indeed which most natural immunity is against. so there is a reasonable chance that at least there will be some degree of vaccine escape with this variant. now, an important thing which we have said previously with other bits of immunity with viruses is that it is easier for the viruses is that it is easier for the virus to achieve ability to escape for infection than it is to achieve escape for severe disease and then on to mortality. so there is a reasonable chance, but i want to be clear, we need to wait until we have data before we can say this with any certainty, that even if there is some, ora certainty, that even if there is some, or a significant, certainty, that even if there is some, ora significant, escape certainty, that even if there is some, or a significant, escape from the ability to infect someone, and therefore for them to be infectious, it may be that there are still vaccines, in particular when they have had boosters, and natural infection boosted by vaccination, may be sufficient to go on to prevent people from going on to have severe disease, and in some cases dying. so that is the reason that the prime minister has emphasised so strongly the need to boost on top of a primary course because the stronger the immune system response the more it is able to deal with a relative disadvantage due to the genetic make—up of this virus. i'm going to pass over to sir patrick vallance who will add to those points. vallance who will add to those oints. , , . ., ., points. viruses will continue to chan . e points. viruses will continue to change and _ points. viruses will continue to change and they _ points. viruses will continue to change and they will— points. viruses will continue to change and they will change i points. viruses will continue to j change and they will change all points. viruses will continue to - change and they will change all the time and _ change and they will change all the time and there _ change and they will change all the time and there have _ change and they will change all the time and there have been - change and they will change all the time and there have been many. time and there have been many variants — time and there have been many variants the _ time and there have been many variants. the reason— time and there have been many variants. the reason this - time and there have been many variants. the reason this one i time and there have been many variants. the reason this one is| variants. the reason this one is worrying. — variants. the reason this one is worrving. as— variants. the reason this one is worrying, as chris _ variants. the reason this one is worrying, as chris has - variants. the reason this one is worrying, as chris has said, - variants. the reason this one is worrying, as chris has said, is. variants. the reason this one is. worrying, as chris has said, is the combination— worrying, as chris has said, is the combination of— worrying, as chris has said, is the combination of transmissibility. worrying, as chris has said, is thel combination of transmissibility and the potential— combination of transmissibility and the potential for— combination of transmissibility and the potential for some _ combination of transmissibility and the potential for some degree - combination of transmissibility and the potential for some degree of. the potential for some degree of escape _ the potential for some degree of escape from _ the potential for some degree of escape from vaccines _ the potential for some degree of escape from vaccines because i the potential for some degree of escape from vaccines because of the potential for some degree of- escape from vaccines because of the number— escape from vaccines because of the number of— escape from vaccines because of the number of changes _ escape from vaccines because of the number of changes. that _ escape from vaccines because of the number of changes. that means, . number of changes. that means, therefore. — number of changes. that means, therefore, there _ number of changes. that means, therefore, there are _ number of changes. that means, therefore, there are three - number of changes. that means, therefore, there are three thingsj therefore, there are three things that need — therefore, there are three things that need to _ therefore, there are three things that need to be _ therefore, there are three things that need to be done, _ therefore, there are three things that need to be done, as- therefore, there are three things that need to be done, as the - therefore, there are three things . that need to be done, as the prime minister— that need to be done, as the prime minister has — that need to be done, as the prime minister has said. _ that need to be done, as the prime minister has said. the _ that need to be done, as the prime minister has said. the first- that need to be done, as the prime minister has said. the first is- that need to be done, as the prime minister has said. the first is to - minister has said. the first is to try and — minister has said. the first is to try and limit— minister has said. the first is to try and limit the _ minister has said. the first is to try and limit the number- minister has said. the first is to try and limit the number of- minister has said. the first is to. try and limit the number of cases that enter— try and limit the number of cases that enter the _ try and limit the number of cases that enter the country _ try and limit the number of cases that enter the country from - try and limit the number of casesl that enter the country from places that enter the country from places that have — that enter the country from places that have got _ that enter the country from places that have got lots _ that enter the country from places that have got lots of _ that enter the country from places that have got lots of cases, - that enter the country from places that have got lots of cases, and i that have got lots of cases, and that have got lots of cases, and that means _ that have got lots of cases, and that means trying _ that have got lots of cases, and that means trying to _ that have got lots of cases, and that means trying to detect i that have got lots of cases, and i that means trying to detect people and prevent— that means trying to detect people and prevent them _ that means trying to detect people and prevent them from _ that means trying to detect people and prevent them from spreading i that means trying to detect peoplel and prevent them from spreading it in the _ and prevent them from spreading it in the countrv _ and prevent them from spreading it in the country. the _ and prevent them from spreading it in the country. the second - and prevent them from spreading it in the country. the second is - and prevent them from spreading it in the country. the second is to- in the country. the second is to make _ in the country. the second is to make sure _ in the country. the second is to make sure that _ in the country. the second is to make sure that when _ in the country. the second is to make sure that when we - in the country. the second is to make sure that when we do i in the country. the second is to. make sure that when we do have in the country. the second is to- make sure that when we do have cases in the _ make sure that when we do have cases in the country. — make sure that when we do have cases in the country, and _ make sure that when we do have cases in the country, and we _ make sure that when we do have cases in the country, and we will— make sure that when we do have cases in the country, and we will have - in the country, and we will have cases— in the country, and we will have casesjust — in the country, and we will have cases just as _ in the country, and we will have casesjust as other— in the country, and we will have cases just as other countries i in the country, and we will havei cases just as other countries will have, _ cases just as other countries will have, that — cases just as other countries will have, that we _ cases just as other countries will have, that we try— cases just as other countries will have, that we try and _ cases just as other countries will have, that we try and limit - cases just as other countries will have, that we try and limit the l have, that we try and limit the spread — have, that we try and limit the spread in _ have, that we try and limit the spread in the _ have, that we try and limit the spread in the country, - have, that we try and limit the spread in the country, and i have, that we try and limit the| spread in the country, and that means— spread in the country, and that means detecting _ spread in the country, and that means detecting those - spread in the country, and that means detecting those cases, i spread in the country, and that- means detecting those cases, making sure the _ means detecting those cases, making sure the contacts _ means detecting those cases, making sure the contacts are _ means detecting those cases, making sure the contacts are identified, - sure the contacts are identified, and that— sure the contacts are identified, and that clusters _ sure the contacts are identified, and that clusters are _ sure the contacts are identified, and that clusters are identified i sure the contacts are identified, i and that clusters are identified and contained — and that clusters are identified and contained and _ and that clusters are identified and contained. and the _ and that clusters are identified and contained. and the third _ and that clusters are identified and contained. and the third is- and that clusters are identified and contained. and the third is to i contained. and the third is to bolster— contained. and the third is to bolster our— contained. and the third is to bolster our defences. - contained. and the third is to bolster our defences. the i contained. and the third is to - bolster our defences. the defences are first _ bolster our defences. the defences are first and — bolster our defences. the defences are first and foremost _ bolster our defences. the defences are first and foremost to _ bolster our defences. the defences are first and foremost to make i bolster our defences. the defencesj are first and foremost to make sure that the _ are first and foremost to make sure that the vaccines _ are first and foremost to make sure that the vaccines are _ are first and foremost to make sure that the vaccines are boosted - that the vaccines are boosted because _ that the vaccines are boosted because verv _ that the vaccines are boosted because very high _ that the vaccines are boosted because very high levels i that the vaccines are boosted because very high levels of l that the vaccines are boosted - because very high levels of antibody coverage _ because very high levels of antibody coverage witt— because very high levels of antibody coverage will create _ because very high levels of antibody coverage will create a _ because very high levels of antibody coverage will create a higher - coverage will create a higher proportion— coverage will create a higher proportion of— coverage will create a higher proportion of people - coverage will create a higher l proportion of people protected coverage will create a higher - proportion of people protected even against _ proportion of people protected even against a _ proportion of people protected even against a variant. _ proportion of people protected even against a variant. and _ proportion of people protected even against a variant. and secondly, i proportion of people protected even against a variant. and secondly, toi against a variant. and secondly, to make _ against a variant. and secondly, to make sure — against a variant. and secondly, to make sure atso _ against a variant. and secondly, to make sure also that _ against a variant. and secondly, to make sure also that we _ against a variant. and secondly, to make sure also that we have - against a variant. and secondly, to make sure also that we have the l make sure also that we have the antivirais — make sure also that we have the antivirals that _ make sure also that we have the antivirals that are _ make sure also that we have the antivirals that are coming - make sure also that we have the antivirals that are coming along i antivirals that are coming along which _ antivirals that are coming along which won't _ antivirals that are coming along which won't be _ antivirals that are coming along which won't be susceptible i antivirals that are coming along which won't be susceptible to l antivirals that are coming along i which won't be susceptible to the same _ which won't be susceptible to the same degree _ which won't be susceptible to the same degree of— which won't be susceptible to the same degree of resistance - which won't be susceptible to the same degree of resistance to i which won't be susceptible to thej same degree of resistance to this particular— same degree of resistance to this particular set _ same degree of resistance to this particular set of— same degree of resistance to this particular set of changes. - same degree of resistance to this particular set of changes. so, i particular set of changes. so, defences— particular set of changes. so, defences are _ particular set of changes. so, defences are the _ particular set of changes. so, defences are the third - particular set of changes. so, i defences are the third important part of— defences are the third important part of this — defences are the third important part of this as _ defences are the third important part of this as we _ defences are the third important part of this as we go _ defences are the third important part of this as we go into - defences are the third important part of this as we go into this i defences are the third important i part of this as we go into this next phase _ part of this as we go into this next phase but— part of this as we go into this next phase but at— part of this as we go into this next phase. but at the _ part of this as we go into this next phase. but at the moment, - part of this as we go into this next phase. but at the moment, therel phase. but at the moment, there are a few— phase. but at the moment, there are a few cases. — phase. but at the moment, there are a few cases. the _ phase. but at the moment, there are a few cases, the need _ phase. but at the moment, there are a few cases, the need to— phase. but at the moment, there are a few cases, the need to be - a few cases, the need to be identified. _ a few cases, the need to be identified, they— a few cases, the need to be identified, they need - a few cases, the need to be identified, they need to i a few cases, the need to be identified, they need to bel a few cases, the need to be - identified, they need to be properly iooked _ identified, they need to be properly looked after — identified, they need to be properly looked after in _ identified, they need to be properly looked after in terms _ identified, they need to be properly looked after in terms of _ identified, they need to be properly looked after in terms of contact i looked after in terms of contact tracing — looked after in terms of contact tracing and _ looked after in terms of contact tracing and we _ looked after in terms of contact tracing and we need _ looked after in terms of contact tracing and we need to - looked after in terms of contact tracing and we need to make i looked after in terms of contact . tracing and we need to make sure that we _ tracing and we need to make sure that we reduce _ tracing and we need to make sure that we reduce spread. _ thank you very much, chris and patrick. let's go to the media. ian watson, bbc. patrick. let's go to the media. ian watson, bbc-— watson, bbc. thank you, prime minister. watson, bbc. thank you, prime minister- i— watson, bbc. thank you, prime minister. ithink— watson, bbc. thank you, prime minister. i think we _ watson, bbc. thank you, prime minister. i think we were - watson, bbc. thank you, primej minister. i think we were hoping watson, bbc. thank you, prime i minister. i think we were hoping we were seeing the beginning of the end of the pandemic, but people will be concerned that they are saying the beginning of new restrictions. you have said they will be reviewed in three weeks. how likely those restrictions will be ratcheted up in three weeks rather than wound down, and can you say with any confidence at the moment that people can keep their christmas plans? and if i may ask sir patrick, you said at a previous press conference that you have to go hard and go early, arguably you are going early but not hard, that is falling short of full plan b with advice to work from home, vaccine passports and so on. have people amongst your sage advisers been pushing forfull have people amongst your sage advisers been pushing for full plan b now, and if not, why not? and finally, professor whitty, b now, and if not, why not? and finally, professorwhitty, if you could answer this, the government is going much quicker than it did over delta. is that because you are learning lessons from the pandemic or because you are far more scared of this variant than the one that is prevalent to currently?— prevalent to currently? thank you very much, _ prevalent to currently? thank you very much, iain. _ prevalent to currently? thank you very much, iain. you're _ prevalent to currently? thank you very much, iain. you're very i prevalent to currently? thank you very much, iain. you're very good point about whether we are going hard enough and why aren't we doing plan b, the key thing to understand is you have got two variants in play now, and they require a different approach. so what we are doing, we think the measures we have are right for dealing with delta, and they are proportionate and you have heard from chris about what is happening with case numbers and also with hospitalisations with the measures we have in place, and also we think that this is the right approach to omicron given the uncertainties that we have and the need to take a precautionary approach with an incoming variant from elsewhere, about which we simply don't yet know enough. so it is two different variants that require two simultaneous strategies, if you like. and on your point about where we are overall in the pandemic, i think i would just repeat what i said at the beginning, that i think the uk continues to be in a much, much stronger position. we continue to be in a strong position largely thanks to the speed of the vaccine roll—out and now the booster roll—out, and as for your question about christmas, i think i'm going to stick with the formula i've used before, which is that i'm pretty confident or absolutely confident this christmas will be considerably better than last christmas, if that will do for the time being on that one. patrick.— one. patrick. you are quite right. the thing that — one. patrick. you are quite right. the thing that we _ one. patrick. you are quite right. the thing that we need _ one. patrick. you are quite right. the thing that we need to - one. patrick. you are quite right. the thing that we need to do i one. patrick. you are quite right. the thing that we need to do is l the thing that we need to do is always— the thing that we need to do is always think in the face of this virus. — always think in the face of this virus. go — always think in the face of this virus, go earlier than you think you want _ virus, go earlier than you think you want to, _ virus, go earlier than you think you wantto, hard— virus, go earlier than you think you want to, hard than you think you want _ want to, hard than you think you want to, — want to, hard than you think you want to, and more geographically broader— want to, and more geographically broader than you think you want to, those _ broader than you think you want to, those of— broader than you think you want to, those of the — broader than you think you want to, those of the principles. and that remains — those of the principles. and that remains true here. but the specifics of this— remains true here. but the specifics of this are _ remains true here. but the specifics of this are that this isn't a widespread variant in the uk, it is one that _ widespread variant in the uk, it is one that is — widespread variant in the uk, it is one that is coming in, therefore we need _ one that is coming in, therefore we need to— one that is coming in, therefore we need to make sure we have the right measures— need to make sure we have the right measures in— need to make sure we have the right measures in place to detect it. we need _ measures in place to detect it. we need to— measures in place to detect it. we need to make sure we could pick up the clusters — need to make sure we could pick up the clusters in the country as quickly— the clusters in the country as quickly as— the clusters in the country as quickly as possible, contain those and to— quickly as possible, contain those and to make sure that we've got contact — and to make sure that we've got contact tracing and isolation of contacts. — contact tracing and isolation of contacts, and importantly we must boost _ contacts, and importantly we must boost the — contacts, and importantly we must boost the defences that we have, which _ boost the defences that we have, which is _ boost the defences that we have, which is why booster vaccines are so important. _ which is why booster vaccines are so important, and go really hard and quick— important, and go really hard and quick to _ important, and go really hard and quick to get those booster vaccines across _ quick to get those booster vaccines across as _ quick to get those booster vaccines across as many people as possible, reinforce _ across as many people as possible, reinforce the need that anyone who hasn't _ reinforce the need that anyone who hasn't had — reinforce the need that anyone who hasn't had a vaccine should get it, anyone _ hasn't had a vaccine should get it, anyone who — hasn't had a vaccine should get it, anyone who is eligible for a booster now and _ anyone who is eligible for a booster now and hasn't had it should get it, because _ now and hasn't had it should get it, because that will give the high antibody levels and the high response which stands the best chance — response which stands the best chance of— response which stands the best chance of actually stopping this from _ chance of actually stopping this from causing problems in terms of severe _ from causing problems in terms of severe disease and deaths. and from causing problems in terms of severe disease and deaths.- severe disease and deaths. and in terms of the _ severe disease and deaths. and in terms of the question _ severe disease and deaths. and in terms of the question you - severe disease and deaths. and in terms of the question you ask- severe disease and deaths. and in| terms of the question you ask me, severe disease and deaths. and in i terms of the question you ask me, we are learning lessons all the time, but the risk here is different from delta. delta it was driven primarily by its ability to spread rapidly, but less by its ability to escape vaccines, but this one, it is about the strong theory that vaccine escape is likely because of the number of mutations. hick escape is likely because of the number of mutations. nick martin, s . good number of mutations. nick martin, sky. good evening, _ number of mutations. nick martin, sky. good evening, everyone. i number of mutations. nick martin, i sky. good evening, everyone. firstly to ou, sky. good evening, everyone. firstly to you. prime _ sky. good evening, everyone. firstly to you, prime minister. _ sky. good evening, everyone. firstly to you, prime minister. can - sky. good evening, everyone. firstly to you, prime minister. can you i sky. good evening, everyone. firstly to you, prime minister. can you be l sky. good evening, everyone. firstly to you, prime minister. can you be a bit clearer— to you, prime minister. can you be a bit clearer about— to you, prime minister. can you be a bit clearer about what _ to you, prime minister. can you be a bit clearer about what you _ to you, prime minister. can you be a bit clearer about what you said - bit clearer about what you said about — bit clearer about what you said about face _ bit clearer about what you said about face coverings. - bit clearer about what you said about face coverings. you i bit clearer about what you said about face coverings. you saidj bit clearer about what you said i about face coverings. you said it would _ about face coverings. you said it would be — about face coverings. you said it would be necessary— about face coverings. you said it would be necessary to _ about face coverings. you said it would be necessary to tighten i about face coverings. you said it| would be necessary to tighten up about face coverings. you said it- would be necessary to tighten up on them _ would be necessary to tighten up on them are _ would be necessary to tighten up on them are you — would be necessary to tighten up on them. are you tonight— would be necessary to tighten up on them. are you tonight saying - would be necessary to tighten up on them. are you tonight saying that i them. are you tonight saying that you are _ them. are you tonight saying that you are going _ them. are you tonight saying that you are going to _ them. are you tonight saying that you are going to make _ them. are you tonight saying that you are going to make face - them. are you tonight saying that i you are going to make face coverings mandatorv _ you are going to make face coverings mandatory in — you are going to make face coverings mandatory in indoor— you are going to make face coverings mandatory in indoor spaces? - you are going to make face coverings mandatory in indoor spaces? and i you are going to make face coverings| mandatory in indoor spaces? and just to professor— mandatory in indoor spaces? and just to professor vallance, _ mandatory in indoor spaces? and just to professor vallance, sir— mandatory in indoor spaces? and just to professor vallance, sir patrick- to professor vallance, sir patrick and professor— to professor vallance, sir patrick and professor whitty. _ to professor vallance, sir patrick and professor whitty. have - to professor vallance, sir patrick and professor whitty. have you i and professor whitty. have you modeiied — and professor whitty. have you modelled the _ and professor whitty. have you modelled the potential- and professor whitty. have you modelled the potential spread i and professor whitty. have you i modelled the potential spread of this new— modelled the potential spread of this new variant _ modelled the potential spread of this new variant over _ modelled the potential spread of this new variant over the - modelled the potential spread of this new variant over the next i modelled the potential spread ofl this new variant over the next few weeks _ this new variant over the next few weeks and — this new variant over the next few weeks and months? _ this new variant over the next few weeks and months? what - this new variant over the next few weeks and months? what picture| this new variant over the next few- weeks and months? what picture does that show? _ weeks and months? what picture does that show? and — weeks and months? what picture does that show? and can— weeks and months? what picture does that show? and can we _ weeks and months? what picture does that show? and can we really- weeks and months? what picture does that show? and can we really like i that show? and can we really like iockdowns — that show? and can we really like iockdowns as _ that show? and can we really like lockdowns as a _ that show? and can we really like lockdowns as a result _ that show? and can we really like lockdowns as a result of - that show? and can we really like lockdowns as a result of you i that show? and can we really like| lockdowns as a result of you know about _ lockdowns as a result of you know about this — lockdowns as a result of you know about this variant? _ lockdowns as a result of you know about this variant?— lockdowns as a result of you know about this variant? nick, thank you very much- — about this variant? nick, thank you very much- on _ about this variant? nick, thank you very much. on face _ about this variant? nick, thank you very much. on face coverings, - about this variant? nick, thank you | very much. on face coverings, what we are looking at is retail and transport, just going back to a position where you have to wear them in retail settings or on public transport, but the health secretary will be setting out more in the course of the next day or so. in course of the next day or so. in terms of the modelling, you need information about the degree of transmissibility or otherwise, and that is_ transmissibility or otherwise, and that is stitt— transmissibility or otherwise, and that is still being gathered. so we don't _ that is still being gathered. so we don't have — that is still being gathered. so we don't have enough information yet to know whether this is more transmissible, and if so by how much — transmissible, and if so by how much. what we do know from south africa, _ much. what we do know from south africa, and — much. what we do know from south africa, and chris has alluded to this, _ africa, and chris has alluded to this, as — africa, and chris has alluded to this, as there are pockets of rapidly— this, as there are pockets of rapidly growing outbreaks, but that is a different situation, so we're trying _ is a different situation, so we're trying get — is a different situation, so we're trying get that information. i have to say— trying get that information. i have to say the — trying get that information. i have to say the south african scientists have been— to say the south african scientists have been absolutely brilliant, at detecting it and sharing the information, and that has been helpful— information, and that has been helpful to — information, and that has been helpful to the whole world. so we will get _ helpful to the whole world. so we will get more information on transmissibility. we will get more information on the ability of this vaccihes— information on the ability of this vaccines to protect against the virus. — vaccines to protect against the virus. but _ vaccines to protect against the virus, but that is going to take a little _ virus, but that is going to take a little bit — virus, but that is going to take a little bit of— virus, but that is going to take a little bit of time, so at the moment the models — little bit of time, so at the moment the models are more sort of if it spreads— the models are more sort of if it spreads very fast, of course it is going _ spreads very fast, of course it is going to — spreads very fast, of course it is going to spread very fast and go to a lot going to spread very fast and go to a tot of— going to spread very fast and go to a lot of places, and if it spreads less a lot of places, and if it spreads tess fast— a lot of places, and if it spreads tess fast it _ a lot of places, and if it spreads less fast it will do so less, and we can't _ less fast it will do so less, and we can't get — less fast it will do so less, and we can't get much further than that. but it— can't get much further than that. but if it— can't get much further than that. but if it is— can't get much further than that. but if it is very transmissible and does _ but if it is very transmissible and does cause — but if it is very transmissible and does cause big escape, then clearly that is— does cause big escape, then clearly that is a _ does cause big escape, then clearly that is a major issue to face up to. but that— that is a major issue to face up to. but that isn't — that is a major issue to face up to. but that isn't what we know at the moment— but that isn't what we know at the moment and we need to get that information. moment and we need to get that information-— information. great, thanks. itv news. information. great, thanks. itv news thank— information. great, thanks. itv news. thank you, _ information. great, thanks. itv news. thank you, prime - information. great, thanks. itv. news. thank you, prime minister. the will news. thank you, prime minister. they will be _ news. thank you, prime minister. they will be people _ news. thank you, prime minister. they will be people watching - news. thank you, prime minister. they will be people watching this | they will be people watching this wondering — they will be people watching this wondering why— they will be people watching this wondering why you _ they will be people watching this wondering why you are _ they will be people watching this wondering why you are not - they will be people watching this wondering why you are not going j wondering why you are not going further— wondering why you are not going further into — wondering why you are not going further into plan _ wondering why you are not going further into plan b— wondering why you are not going further into plan b and _ wondering why you are not going further into plan b and ordering. further into plan b and ordering people — further into plan b and ordering peorite to — further into plan b and ordering people to work _ further into plan b and ordering people to work from _ further into plan b and ordering people to work from home - further into plan b and ordering people to work from home if. further into plan b and ordering i people to work from home if that might— people to work from home if that might help — people to work from home if that might help us _ people to work from home if that might help us actually _ people to work from home if that might help us actually have - might help us actually have something _ might help us actually have something towards- might help us actually have something towards a - might help us actually havei something towards a normal might help us actually have _ something towards a normal christmas and reduce _ something towards a normal christmas and reduce the — something towards a normal christmas and reduce the spread, _ something towards a normal christmas and reduce the spread, also _ something towards a normal christmas and reduce the spread, also things- and reduce the spread, also things like having — and reduce the spread, also things like having vaccine _ and reduce the spread, also things like having vaccine passports - and reduce the spread, also things like having vaccine passports and i like having vaccine passports and using _ like having vaccine passports and using the — like having vaccine passports and using the check—in _ like having vaccine passports and using the check—in apps - like having vaccine passports and using the check—in apps once - like having vaccine passports and i using the check—in apps once again. so why— using the check—in apps once again. so why are — using the check—in apps once again. so why are you _ using the check—in apps once again. so why are you not— using the check—in apps once again. so why are you not doing _ using the check—in apps once again. so why are you not doing that - using the check—in apps once again. so why are you not doing that at - so why are you not doing that at this point? — so why are you not doing that at this point? also _ so why are you not doing that at this point? also for— so why are you not doing that at this point? also for you - so why are you not doing that at this point? also for you that - so why are you not doing that ati this point? also for you that have been _ this point? also for you that have been calts— this point? also for you that have been calls over— this point? also for you that have been calls over the _ this point? also for you that have been calls over the last _ this point? also for you that have been calls over the last year- this point? also for you that have been calls over the last year for. been calls over the last year for developed _ been calls over the last year for developed nations— been calls over the last year for developed nations to _ been calls over the last year for developed nations to help - been calls over the last year for- developed nations to help developing natiohs_ developed nations to help developing nations rott _ developed nations to help developing nations roll more _ developed nations to help developing nations roll more out _ developed nations to help developing nations roll more out the _ developed nations to help developing nations roll more out the vaccine. - nations roll more out the vaccine. is nations roll more out the vaccine. is no— nations roll more out the vaccine. is no evidence _ nations roll more out the vaccine. is no evidence that _ nations roll more out the vaccine. is no evidence that we _ nations roll more out the vaccine. is no evidence that we should - nations roll more out the vaccine. i is no evidence that we should have done _ is no evidence that we should have done more — is no evidence that we should have done more in — is no evidence that we should have done more in the _ is no evidence that we should have done more in the past _ is no evidence that we should have done more in the past year- is no evidence that we should have done more in the past year to- is no evidence that we should have done more in the past year to do. done more in the past year to do that with — done more in the past year to do that with international— done more in the past year to do that with international partners? j that with international partners? and that with international partners? ahd fort — that with international partners? ahd fort sir— that with international partners? and fort sir patrick— that with international partners? and fort sir patrick and - that with international partners? | and fort sir patrick and professor whitty, _ and fort sir patrick and professor whitty, on — and fort sir patrick and professor whitty, on the _ and fort sir patrick and professor whitty, on the vaccination - and fort sir patrick and professor. whitty, on the vaccination scheme, you said _ whitty, on the vaccination scheme, you said you — whitty, on the vaccination scheme, you said you were _ whitty, on the vaccination scheme, you said you were going _ whitty, on the vaccination scheme, you said you were going to - whitty, on the vaccination scheme, you said you were going to boost. whitty, on the vaccination scheme, i you said you were going to boost the booster— you said you were going to boost the booster roll—out, _ you said you were going to boost the booster roll—out, what _ you said you were going to boost the booster roll—out, what does - you said you were going to boost the booster roll—out, what does that - booster roll—out, what does that mean? _ booster roll—out, what does that mean? is — booster roll—out, what does that mean? is the _ booster roll—out, what does that mean? is the age _ booster roll—out, what does that mean? is the age going - booster roll—out, what does that mean? is the age going to- booster roll—out, what does that mean? is the age going to comej booster roll—out, what does that - mean? is the age going to come down? and for— mean? is the age going to come down? and for vaccinations _ mean? is the age going to come down? and for vaccinations for _ mean? is the age going to come down? and for vaccinations for those _ mean? is the age going to come down? and for vaccinations for those under - and for vaccinations for those under 12 and _ and for vaccinations for those under 12 and second — and for vaccinations for those under 12 and second vaccinations - and for vaccinations for those under 12 and second vaccinations for- and for vaccinations for those under 12 and second vaccinations for those a-ed 12 and second vaccinations for those aged 12-15, — 12 and second vaccinations for those aged 12-15, are _ 12 and second vaccinations for those aged 12-15, are we _ 12 and second vaccinations for those aged 12—15, are we going _ 12 and second vaccinations for those aged 12—15, are we going to - 12 and second vaccinations for those aged 12—15, are we going to see - 12 and second vaccinations for those| aged 12—15, are we going to see that coming _ aged12—15, are we going to see that coming shortly— aged 12—15, are we going to see that coming shortty as— aged 12—15, are we going to see that coming shortly as well? _ aged 12—15, are we going to see that coming shortly as well? thank- aged 12—15, are we going to see that coming shortly as well? thank you. i aged 12—15, are we going to see thati coming shortly as well? thank you. at coming shortly as well? thank you. very important point, vincent, but i want to go back to what i was saying about the difference between delta and omicron, and the need to have slightly different tactics to cope with them. when you look at delta, the measures that we have in place are effective in the sense that you are effective in the sense that you are seeing this downwards tracking of hospitalisations and deaths, assisted by the booster programme and by the massive take of vaccines, and by the massive take of vaccines, and that is the key take out i hope from this briefing today, is that the best way to beat this piece of news is for everybody to get their booster. but for omicron, what you need to do is to try to slow the seeding with the border measures that we are taking, the tough measures that we are taking at the border in order to give us time to find out exactly what the risk is, but more importantly, to allow that booster programme to give us time to have another 6 million boosters in people's arms, and we think that will be very valuable. and you had a second question?— second question? there have been man calls second question? there have been many calls to _ second question? there have been many calls to help _ second question? there have been many calls to help developing - many calls to help developing nations~~~ _ many calls to help developing nations - -_ many calls to help developing nations... , , ., , nations... yes, the calls to help with vaccines _ nations... yes, the calls to help with vaccines around _ nations... yes, the calls to help with vaccines around the - nations... yes, the calls to help with vaccines around the world. | nations... yes, the calls to help| with vaccines around the world. i think that is something the uk could be incredibly proud of. we have done a huge amount to vaccinate the world, and don't forget that 1.5 billion doses have been delivered at cost, thanks to the deal the uk government did with astrazeneca, and i think when you look at the arrival and the spread of omicron, sadly it has been in countries where the problem has not been supply of vaccine, it has been really to do with hesitancy and lack of take—up, so i think there might be many... we do need to do more to vaccinate the world, the uk has been leading in that, but i don't think, and i will defer to chris and patrick, i don't think that is the issue here. fin defer to chris and patrick, i don't think that is the issue here. on the cuestion think that is the issue here. on the question you _ think that is the issue here. on the question you asked _ think that is the issue here. on the question you asked about - think that is the issue here. on the | question you asked about extending the numbers, thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation, jcvi, is taking into account the fact that this changes the risks benefit calculations for several of the decisions which they still have to take which includes extending down in the age range into young adults, for example, for boosters. so they will reassess decisions they have taken, and to decide whether... studio: you are watching a downing street briefing on coronavirus. we say goodbye now to viewers on bbc world. the sunday express. thank you, prime minister. a question _ the sunday express. thank you, prime minister. a question for— the sunday express. thank you, prime minister. a question for all— the sunday express. thank you, prime minister. a question for all three - minister. a question for all three of you. _ minister. a question for all three of you. really _ minister. a question for all three of you, really. can _ minister. a question for all three of you, really. can you _ minister. a question for all three of you, really. can you really - minister. a question for all three of you, really. can you really be i of you, really. can you really be clear— of you, really. can you really be clear to — of you, really. can you really be clear to people _ of you, really. can you really be clear to people about _ of you, really. can you really be clear to people about your- of you, really. can you really be clear to people about your levelj of you, really. can you really be i clear to people about your level of concern _ clear to people about your level of concern compared _ clear to people about your level of concern compared to _ clear to people about your level of concern compared to the - clear to people about your level of concern compared to the delta - concern compared to the delta variant — concern compared to the delta variant tast _ concern compared to the delta variant last year? _ concern compared to the delta variant last year? is _ concern compared to the delta variant last year? is it - concern compared to the delta variant last year? is it that - concern compared to the delta variant last year? is it that thej variant last year? is it that the circumstances _ variant last year? is it that the circumstances have _ variant last year? is it that the circumstances have changed . variant last year? is it that the| circumstances have changed so variant last year? is it that the - circumstances have changed so much that we _ circumstances have changed so much that we can _ circumstances have changed so much that we can be — circumstances have changed so much that we can be less— circumstances have changed so much that we can be less concerned - circumstances have changed so much that we can be less concerned than . that we can be less concerned than at this— that we can be less concerned than at this time — that we can be less concerned than at this time last _ that we can be less concerned than at this time last year? _ that we can be less concerned than at this time last year? can - that we can be less concerned than at this time last year? can you - at this time last year? can you appreciate _ at this time last year? can you appreciate that _ at this time last year? can you appreciate that given - at this time last year? can you appreciate that given how - at this time last year? can you i appreciate that given how rapidly things— appreciate that given how rapidly things developed _ appreciate that given how rapidly things developed last _ appreciate that given how rapidly things developed last year, - appreciate that given how rapidly things developed last year, thati things developed last year, that people — things developed last year, that peopte witi— things developed last year, that peopte will be _ things developed last year, that people will be worried, - things developed last year, that i people will be worried, especially the hospitality— people will be worried, especially the hospitality industry, - people will be worried, especially the hospitality industry, about. the hospitality industry, about christmas _ the hospitality industry, about christmas. should _ the hospitality industry, about christmas. should people - the hospitality industry, about christmas. should people in. the hospitality industry, about. christmas. should people in that industry— christmas. should people in that industry and _ christmas. should people in that industry and should _ christmas. should people in that industry and should others - christmas. should people in that industry and should others be i christmas. should people in that - industry and should others be taking precautionary— industry and should others be taking precautionary measures _ industry and should others be taking precautionary measures at _ industry and should others be taking precautionary measures at this - industry and should others be taking precautionary measures at this point on that— precautionary measures at this point on that basis? — precautionary measures at this point on that basis? regarding _ precautionary measures at this point on that basis? regarding the - precautionary measures at this point on that basis? regarding the jcvi, . on that basis? regarding the jcvi, the review— on that basis? regarding the jcvi, the review of— on that basis? regarding the jcvi, the review of vaccines, _ on that basis? regarding the jcvi, the review of vaccines, can - on that basis? regarding the jcvi, the review of vaccines, can you . on that basis? regarding the jcvi, i the review of vaccines, can you give some _ the review of vaccines, can you give some more — the review of vaccines, can you give some more of— the review of vaccines, can you give some more of a _ the review of vaccines, can you give some more of a rationale _ the review of vaccines, can you give some more of a rationale to - some more of a rationale to extending _ some more of a rationale to extending it _ some more of a rationale to extending it downwards, - some more of a rationale to . extending it downwards, given some more of a rationale to - extending it downwards, given that there _ extending it downwards, given that there is— extending it downwards, given that there is a _ extending it downwards, given that there is a significant _ extending it downwards, given that there is a significant group- extending it downwards, given that there is a significant group of- there is a significant group of parents — there is a significant group of parents who— there is a significant group of parents who are _ there is a significant group of parents who are worried - there is a significant group of. parents who are worried about there is a significant group of- parents who are worried about the effect _ parents who are worried about the effect of _ parents who are worried about the effect of vaccines _ parents who are worried about the effect of vaccines on _ parents who are worried about the effect of vaccines on children - parents who are worried about the effect of vaccines on children and i effect of vaccines on children and the evidence _ effect of vaccines on children and the evidence so— effect of vaccines on children and the evidence so far— effect of vaccines on children and the evidence so far that - effect of vaccines on children and the evidence so far that suggests that children _ the evidence so far that suggests that children aren't _ the evidence so far that suggests that children aren't as _ the evidence so far that suggests that children aren't as badly- that children aren't as badly affected _ that children aren't as badly affected by— that children aren't as badly affected by the _ that children aren't as badly affected by the virus - that children aren't as badly affected by the virus as - that children aren't as badly. affected by the virus as other that children aren't as badly- affected by the virus as other age groups? — affected by the virus as other age groups? and _ affected by the virus as other age groups? and finally, _ affected by the virus as other age groups? and finally, on - affected by the virus as other age groups? and finally, on vaccine l groups? and finally, on vaccine passports, _ groups? and finally, on vaccine passports. what _ groups? and finally, on vaccine passports, what is _ groups? and finally, on vaccine passports, what is the - groups? and finally, on vaccine i passports, what is the likelihood groups? and finally, on vaccine - passports, what is the likelihood of those _ passports, what is the likelihood of those being — passports, what is the likelihood of those being introduced, _ passports, what is the likelihood of those being introduced, and - passports, what is the likelihood of those being introduced, and are . passports, what is the likelihood ofl those being introduced, and are you looking _ those being introduced, and are you looking at— those being introduced, and are you looking at the — those being introduced, and are you looking at the outcomes _ those being introduced, and are you looking at the outcomes in - those being introduced, and are you| looking at the outcomes in scotland, which _ looking at the outcomes in scotland, which suggest — looking at the outcomes in scotland, which suggest that _ looking at the outcomes in scotland, which suggest that it _ looking at the outcomes in scotland, which suggest that it hasn't - looking at the outcomes in scotland, which suggest that it hasn't had - looking at the outcomes in scotland, which suggest that it hasn't had an. which suggest that it hasn't had an inrpact _ which suggest that it hasn't had an inrpact so — which suggest that it hasn't had an impact so far— which suggest that it hasn't had an impact so far in— which suggest that it hasn't had an impact so far in the _ which suggest that it hasn't had an impact so far in the spread - which suggest that it hasn't had an impact so far in the spread of- which suggest that it hasn't had an impact so far in the spread of the i impact so far in the spread of the virus? _ impact so far in the spread of the virus? . ~' , ., , impact so far in the spread of the virus? ., ,, , ., , . impact so far in the spread of the virus? ., ~' , ., , . virus? thank you very much, david. i think i'm virus? thank you very much, david. i think i'm going _ virus? thank you very much, david. i think i'm going to — virus? thank you very much, david. i think i'm going to ask— virus? thank you very much, david. i think i'm going to ask chris - virus? thank you very much, david. i think i'm going to ask chris and - think i'm going to ask chris and patrick to comment on vaccination of younger people and children in particular. butjust on your point about hospitality, as you will have seen, there is nothing that we've announced tonight that changes the position for hospitality, and i'm just going to repeat what i've said. i believe that as a result of the vaccination programme and of the booster programme that is going very, very fast now, that the uk is in a much, much stronger position, and it is in order to retain that strong position that we are taking the sensible, precautionary steps that we're taking today. and i continue to repeat what i said, my formula about christmas, but i have every reason to think that it will be considerably better, david, than last year. fin be considerably better, david, than last ear. , be considerably better, david, than last ear. g , ., last year. on the jcvi question, there are _ last year. on the jcvi question, there are broadly _ last year. on the jcvi question, there are broadly three - last year. on the jcvi question, there are broadly three sets - last year. on the jcvi question, there are broadly three sets of| there are broadly three sets of questions they are going to look at. the first one is actually extending down in adults down to people aged 18 for a booster vaccine, and i think that is the most urgent of the decisions they will have to take. there is then a question about a second dose for children who have chosen to take the first dose in those aged 12 to 15, and they have already decided that they should be extended to young people 16 and 17. and the evidence on that i think is broadly been as evidence has come in, it has made us more reassured about safety rather than less reassured by its safety, and i think most parents would agree that there are now significant outbreaks amongst those who are not vaccinated in schools, indeed among some who are vaccinated, there is a significant issue in children of that age, and that therefore clearly should be looked at byjcvi. and then they will look additionally at then they will look additionally at the younger age groups, and they will take a view as to whether they think the evidence is clear enough. obviously some countries like the usa have already decided to go in that direction, but the jcvi usa have already decided to go in that direction, but thejcvi are an independent committee and they will take the decision based on the science in front of them. but to go back to this point about where we are more concerned or less concerned, the point we have at the moment is there is a lot of uncertainty about the new omicron variant, and because of that uncertainty, it is sensible to take a precautionary approach until we know which way things are going, and to do that rather than look back and wish we had done so before. just to add to that, i think the one thing _ just to add to that, i think the one thing that— just to add to that, i think the one thing that makes— just to add to that, i think the one thing that makes people - just to add to that, i think the one l thing that makes people concerned, that's— thing that makes people concerned, that's why— thing that makes people concerned, that's why there _ thing that makes people concerned, that's why there is _ thing that makes people concerned, that's why there is so _ thing that makes people concerned, that's why there is so much - thing that makes people concerned, that's why there is so much interest| that's why there is so much interest in this, _ that's why there is so much interest in this, is— that's why there is so much interest inthis, is the— that's why there is so much interest in this, is the number— that's why there is so much interest in this, is the number of— that's why there is so much interest in this, is the number of mutationsl in this, is the number of mutations and the _ in this, is the number of mutations and the way— in this, is the number of mutations and the way in _ in this, is the number of mutations and the way in which _ in this, is the number of mutations and the way in which that - in this, is the number of mutations and the way in which that might. and the way in which that might change — and the way in which that might change the _ and the way in which that might change the immune _ and the way in which that might change the immune system's . change the immune system's recognition _ change the immune system's recognition of— change the immune system's recognition of the _ change the immune system's recognition of the virus, - change the immune system'sl recognition of the virus, which change the immune system's i recognition of the virus, which is how you — recognition of the virus, which is how you get _ recognition of the virus, which is how you get vaccine _ recognition of the virus, which is how you get vaccine escape. - recognition of the virus, which is . how you get vaccine escape. that's why people — how you get vaccine escape. that's why peopte are _ how you get vaccine escape. that's why people are concerned - how you get vaccine escape. that's why people are concerned about i how you get vaccine escape. that's . why people are concerned about this, but as— why people are concerned about this, but as chris _ why people are concerned about this, but as chris said _ why people are concerned about this, but as chris said there _ why people are concerned about this, but as chris said there is _ why people are concerned about this, but as chris said there is huge - but as chris said there is huge uncertainty _ but as chris said there is huge uncertainty about— but as chris said there is huge uncertainty about how - but as chris said there is huge uncertainty about how exactly| but as chris said there is huge - uncertainty about how exactly that translates — uncertainty about how exactly that translates into _ uncertainty about how exactly that translates into protection. - uncertainty about how exactly that translates into protection. that's. translates into protection. that's what _ translates into protection. that's what needs— translates into protection. that's what needs to _ translates into protection. that's what needs to be _ translates into protection. that's what needs to be looked - translates into protection. that's what needs to be looked at. - translates into protection. that's- what needs to be looked at. reasons to be, _ what needs to be looked at. reasons to be, overatt. — what needs to be looked at. reasons to be, overall, much _ what needs to be looked at. reasons to be, overall, much less— what needs to be looked at. reasons to be, overall, much less concernedl to be, overall, much less concerned in the _ to be, overall, much less concerned in the tong — to be, overall, much less concerned in the tong run— to be, overall, much less concerned in the tong run is— to be, overall, much less concerned in the long run is because _ to be, overall, much less concerned in the long run is because we've - to be, overall, much less concerned in the long run is because we've gotj in the long run is because we've got vaccines— in the long run is because we've got vaccines that — in the long run is because we've got vaccines that are _ in the long run is because we've got vaccines that are effective. - in the long run is because we've got vaccines that are effective. the - vaccines that are effective. the vaccine — vaccines that are effective. the vaccine manufacturers - vaccines that are effective. the vaccine manufacturers actually| vaccines that are effective. the . vaccine manufacturers actually can change _ vaccine manufacturers actually can change them — vaccine manufacturers actually can change them quite _ vaccine manufacturers actually can change them quite easily, - vaccine manufacturers actually can change them quite easily, so - vaccine manufacturers actually can change them quite easily, so we . vaccine manufacturers actually can i change them quite easily, so we have a very— change them quite easily, so we have a very changeabte _ change them quite easily, so we have a very changeable platform _ change them quite easily, so we have a very changeable platform of - a very changeable platform of vaccines — a very changeable platform of vaccines now _ a very changeable platform of vaccines now and _ a very changeable platform of vaccines now and we've - a very changeable platform of vaccines now and we've got. a very changeable platform of - vaccines now and we've got drugs coming _ vaccines now and we've got drugs coming along, _ vaccines now and we've got drugs coming along, antiviral— vaccines now and we've got drugs coming along, antiviral drugs- vaccines now and we've got drugs i coming along, antiviral drugs which work, _ coming along, antiviral drugs which work. so _ coming along, antiviral drugs which work. so we — coming along, antiviral drugs which work, so we have _ coming along, antiviral drugs which work, so we have a _ coming along, antiviral drugs which work, so we have a far— coming along, antiviral drugs which work, so we have a far greater- work, so we have a far greater armamentarium _ work, so we have a far greater armamentarium than - work, so we have a far greater armamentarium than we - work, so we have a far greater armamentarium than we had i work, so we have a far greaterj armamentarium than we had a work, so we have a far greater- armamentarium than we had a few months _ armamentarium than we had a few months ago — armamentarium than we had a few months ago and _ armamentarium than we had a few months ago and are _ armamentarium than we had a few months ago and are totally- months ago and are totally transformed _ months ago and are totally transformed picture - months ago and are totally. transformed picture compared months ago and are totally- transformed picture compared to a year ago — transformed picture compared to a year ago i— transformed picture compared to a ear aro. . . , transformed picture compared to a eararo. . . ,~ year ago. i certainly agree with that. year ago. i certainly agree with that- david _ year ago. i certainly agree with that. david willey _ year ago. i certainly agree with that. david willey from - year ago. i certainly agree with that. david willey from the - year ago. i certainly agree with | that. david willey from the sun newspaper. that. david willey from the sun newspaper-_ that. david willey from the sun newsa er. ~ , ., ., newspaper. prime minister, i want to ush ou newspaper. prime minister, i want to push you on — newspaper. prime minister, i want to push you on christmas _ newspaper. prime minister, i want to push you on christmas a _ newspaper. prime minister, i want to push you on christmas a bit - newspaper. prime minister, i want to push you on christmas a bit more - push you on christmas a bit more because the thing that is at the forefront of our minds, i take your view we will have a better christmas and i'm glad to hear that, but can you for the sake of people watching and for our readers, say how important it is to use these mitigations, wearing your mask and all the other things, in order to have a good christmas this year? can i also ask your two experts, professor chris whitty, you mentioned are some people might have a bit of fatigue about abiding by the restrictions after two years of this. do you think there will be any problems in that area with this new variant as we try to get people back into some more restricted lifestyle? and sir patrick, how long do you think it would take to get a vaccine tweaked that might be able to deal with this, taking into account before we do that, and secondly, the amateur scientists among us were saying a couple of days ago when we first heard about this variant, that if it is there it is already in britain and so it came to pass that it is. so will the amateur scientists now thinking it is going to be spreading through britain rapidly, and it will be dominant before long, is that something we have to fear?— before long, is that something we have to fear? david, 'ust to repeat what i have _ have to fear? david, 'ust to repeat what i have said _ have to fear? david, just to repeat what i have said before, _ have to fear? david, just to repeat what i have said before, the - have to fear? david, just to repeat what i have said before, the thing| what i have said before, the thing about— what i have said before, the thing about it. — what i have said before, the thing about it. as— what i have said before, the thing about it, as chris and patrick have said, _ about it, as chris and patrick have said. it _ about it, as chris and patrick have said. it is — about it, as chris and patrick have said, it is pretty clear that no matter— said, it is pretty clear that no matter what the effects of this new variant, _ matter what the effects of this new variant, if— matter what the effects of this new variant, if you are vaccinated, and in particular— variant, if you are vaccinated, and in particular if you have a booster, your— in particular if you have a booster, your immune response is likely to be stronger, _ your immune response is likely to be stronger, so— your immune response is likely to be stronger, so the best thing you can do and _ stronger, so the best thing you can do and the — stronger, so the best thing you can do and the best thing everyone can do and the best thing everyone can do is _ do and the best thing everyone can do is to— do and the best thing everyone can do is to get— do and the best thing everyone can do is to get your booster and the stronger— do is to get your booster and the stronger the overall position will be, and — stronger the overall position will be, and we will all be income as i say, _ be, and we will all be income as i say, as— be, and we will all be income as i say, as we — be, and we will all be income as i say, as we go forward to christmas, we are _ say, as we go forward to christmas, we are in— say, as we go forward to christmas, we are in a — say, as we go forward to christmas, we are in a strong position but the objective _ we are in a strong position but the objective of— we are in a strong position but the objective of what we are doing tonight— objective of what we are doing tonight is to keep that position strong~ — tonight is to keep that position stronu. , ., i. tonight is to keep that position stronu. , ., y., ., strong. the question you asked me, i was puzzled — strong. the question you asked me, i was puzzled by _ strong. the question you asked me, i was puzzled by some _ strong. the question you asked me, i was puzzled by some of— strong. the question you asked me, i was puzzled by some of the _ strong. the question you asked me, i | was puzzled by some of the headlines i read about what i said this money because they bore no relationship, in my view, to what i actually said but that sometimes happens. i'm sure it doesn't happen under any of your watches. what i said was asking a rhetorical question, the uk public have been absolutely extraordinary at responding when they have it explained to them why to do it, and my point, my central point, was only if you are going to ask people to do something, lay out all the data very clearly, explain it very honestly, so that people understand why it is you are asking them to do something. that is the point i was making and quite how it turned into what it was reported as i don't fully understand, so that was the point. if i can make one christmas plea, it will be that when people raise their glasses at christmas they do so to the extraordinary scientists who have produced the vaccines, diagnostics and the drugs that will allow this christmas, as the prime minister said, to be in a very different place to what it would have been without them? fin different place to what it would have been without them? on the ruestion have been without them? on the question about _ have been without them? on the question about vaccines - have been without them? on the question about vaccines and - have been without them? on the question about vaccines and how| have been without them? on the - question about vaccines and how long it will— question about vaccines and how long it will take, _ question about vaccines and how long it will take, i— question about vaccines and how long it will take, ithink— question about vaccines and how long it will take, ithink it— question about vaccines and how long it will take, i think it is _ it will take, i think it is important _ it will take, i think it is important to— it will take, i think it is important to recognise it will take, i think it is - important to recognise there are three _ important to recognise there are three ways — important to recognise there are three ways in _ important to recognise there are three ways in which _ important to recognise there are three ways in which this - important to recognise there are three ways in which this can - important to recognise there are three ways in which this can be i three ways in which this can be done — three ways in which this can be done the _ three ways in which this can be done. the companies- three ways in which this can be done. the companies are - three ways in which this can be done. the companies are all. three ways in which this can be - done. the companies are all thinking about— done. the companies are all thinking about this _ done. the companies are all thinking about this the — done. the companies are all thinking about this. the first _ done. the companies are all thinking about this. the first is _ done. the companies are all thinking about this. the first is that _ about this. the first is that boosters _ about this. the first is that boosters will _ about this. the first is that boosters will give - about this. the first is that boosters will give high - about this. the first is that - boosters will give high enough antibody— boosters will give high enough antibody coverage _ boosters will give high enough antibody coverage that - boosters will give high enoughl antibody coverage that actually that's _ antibody coverage that actually that's going _ antibody coverage that actually that's going to _ antibody coverage that actually that's going to be _ antibody coverage that actually that's going to be enough- antibody coverage that actually that's going to be enough to i antibody coverage that actually i that's going to be enough to cover this _ that's going to be enough to cover this that's— that's going to be enough to cover this. that's the — that's going to be enough to cover this. that's the first _ that's going to be enough to cover this. that's the first situation. - this. that's the first situation. that— this. that's the first situation. that needs _ this. that's the first situation. that needs to _ this. that's the first situation. that needs to be _ this. that's the first situation. that needs to be tested - this. that's the first situation. that needs to be tested but. this. that's the first situation. i that needs to be tested but that looks _ that needs to be tested but that looks like — that needs to be tested but that looks like something _ that needs to be tested but that looks like something that - that needs to be tested but thati looks like something that anyway that needs to be tested but that. looks like something that anyway is going _ looks like something that anyway is going to _ looks like something that anyway is going to give — looks like something that anyway is going to give protection _ looks like something that anyway is going to give protection whether. going to give protection whether there _ going to give protection whether there is— going to give protection whether there is more _ going to give protection whether there is more needed _ going to give protection whether there is more needed on- going to give protection whether there is more needed on top- going to give protection whether there is more needed on top of. going to give protection whether. there is more needed on top of that we will— there is more needed on top of that we will have — there is more needed on top of that we will have to _ there is more needed on top of that we will have to see. _ there is more needed on top of that we will have to see. the _ there is more needed on top of that we will have to see. the second - there is more needed on top of that we will have to see. the second is l we will have to see. the second is vaccine _ we will have to see. the second is vaccine manufacturers _ we will have to see. the second is vaccine manufacturers have - we will have to see. the second is vaccine manufacturers have beeni vaccine manufacturers have been producing — vaccine manufacturers have been producing broader— vaccine manufacturers have been producing broader vaccines - vaccine manufacturers have been producing broader vaccines to - vaccine manufacturers have been| producing broader vaccines to get broader— producing broader vaccines to get broader coverage _ producing broader vaccines to get broader coverage across - producing broader vaccines to getj broader coverage across potential new variants _ broader coverage across potential new variants. those _ broader coverage across potential new variants. those are _ broader coverage across potential new variants. those are in - broader coverage across potential new variants. those are in the - new variants. those are in the pipeline _ new variants. those are in the pipeline. and _ new variants. those are in the pipeline. and then _ new variants. those are in the pipeline. and then a - new variants. those are in the pipeline. and then a couple i new variants. those are in the pipeline. and then a couple of companies _ pipeline. and then a couple of companies have _ pipeline. and then a couple of companies have already - pipeline. and then a couple of companies have already said i pipeline. and then a couple of. companies have already said they could _ companies have already said they could tweak— companies have already said they could tweak their— companies have already said they could tweak their existing - companies have already said theyl could tweak their existing vaccines and get _ could tweak their existing vaccines and get a — could tweak their existing vaccines and get a new— could tweak their existing vaccines and get a new vaccine _ could tweak their existing vaccines and get a new vaccine out - and get a new vaccine out specifically— and get a new vaccine out specifically against - and get a new vaccine out specifically against this i and get a new vaccine out specifically against this in j and get a new vaccine out - specifically against this in about 100 days — specifically against this in about 100 days and _ specifically against this in about 100 days. and so _ specifically against this in about 100 days. and so those - specifically against this in about 100 days. and so those are - specifically against this in about 100 days. and so those are the| specifically against this in about - 100 days. and so those are the sort of three _ 100 days. and so those are the sort of three scenarios. _ 100 days. and so those are the sort of three scenarios. the _ 100 days. and so those are the sort of three scenarios. the one - 100 days. and so those are the sort of three scenarios. the one that - 100 days. and so those are the sort of three scenarios. the one that is. of three scenarios. the one that is the want _ of three scenarios. the one that is the want to— of three scenarios. the one that is the want to clearly— of three scenarios. the one that is the want to clearly go _ of three scenarios. the one that is the want to clearly go for- of three scenarios. the one that is the want to clearly go for now - of three scenarios. the one that is the want to clearly go for now is l of three scenarios. the one that is| the want to clearly go for now is to boost. _ the want to clearly go for now is to boost. because _ the want to clearly go for now is to boost, because it _ the want to clearly go for now is to boost, because it is _ the want to clearly go for now is to boost, because it is the _ the want to clearly go for now is to boost, because it is the case - the want to clearly go for now is to boost, because it is the case as. the want to clearly go for now is tol boost, because it is the case as you keep— boost, because it is the case as you keep boosting — boost, because it is the case as you keep boosting with _ boost, because it is the case as you keep boosting with the _ boost, because it is the case as you keep boosting with the vaccine - boost, because it is the case as you keep boosting with the vaccine you i keep boosting with the vaccine you -et keep boosting with the vaccine you get slightly— keep boosting with the vaccine you get slightly broader— keep boosting with the vaccine you get slightly broader coverage - get slightly broader coverage because the immune - get slightly broader coverage because the immune system| get slightly broader coverage - because the immune system knows it needs to _ because the immune system knows it needs to get — needs to get broader and because the antibody— needs to get broader and because the antibody levels — needs to get broader and because the antibody levels are _ needs to get broader and because the antibody levels are so _ needs to get broader and because the antibody levels are so high _ needs to get broader and because the antibody levels are so high it - antibody levels are so high it actually— antibody levels are so high it actually causes _ antibody levels are so high it actually causes enough - antibody levels are so high it - actually causes enough coverage of other— actually causes enough coverage of other variants — actually causes enough coverage of other variants to _ actually causes enough coverage of other variants to be _ actually causes enough coverage of other variants to be effective, - actually causes enough coverage of other variants to be effective, so. actually causes enough coverage of other variants to be effective, so ii other variants to be effective, so i think— other variants to be effective, so i think that's — other variants to be effective, so i think that's really _ other variants to be effective, so i think that's really why— other variants to be effective, so i think that's really why the - other variants to be effective, so ii think that's really why the boosting is so important _ think that's really why the boosting is so important. the _ think that's really why the boosting is so important. the spread - think that's really why the boosting is so important. the spread of- think that's really why the boosting is so important. the spread of the| is so important. the spread of the variant, _ is so important. the spread of the variant, i— is so important. the spread of the variant, i mean, _ is so important. the spread of the variant, i mean, the— is so important. the spread of the variant, i mean, the amateur- variant, i mean, the amateur scientists— variant, i mean, the amateur scientists were _ variant, i mean, the amateur scientists were in _ variant, i mean, the amateur scientists were in line - variant, i mean, the amateur scientists were in line with i variant, i mean, the amateur. scientists were in line with the professional— scientists were in line with the professional scientists, - scientists were in line with the professional scientists, and i scientists were in line with the i professional scientists, and that you will— professional scientists, and that you will not _ professional scientists, and that you will not stop _ professional scientists, and that you will not stop these - professional scientists, and that you will not stop these things i professional scientists, and that - you will not stop these things going around _ you will not stop these things going around the — you will not stop these things going around the world. _ you will not stop these things going around the world. we _ you will not stop these things going around the world. we have - you will not stop these things going around the world. we have seen- you will not stop these things going i around the world. we have seen that time and _ around the world. we have seen that time and again. _ around the world. we have seen that time and again, new— around the world. we have seen that time and again, new variants - around the world. we have seen that time and again, new variants that - time and again, new variants that have _ time and again, new variants that have significant— time and again, new variants that have significant transmissibility. have significant transmissibility advantage _ have significant transmissibility advantage will— have significant transmissibility advantage will spread, - have significant transmissibility advantage will spread, so - have significant transmissibility advantage will spread, so the l advantage will spread, so the question— advantage will spread, so the question is, _ advantage will spread, so the question is, does— advantage will spread, so the question is, does it _ advantage will spread, so the question is, does it have - question is, does it have significant _ question is, does it have. significant transmissibility advantage? _ significant transmissibility advantage? those - significant transmissibility advantage? those data i significant transmissibilityl advantage? those data are significant transmissibility - advantage? those data are being looked _ advantage? those data are being looked at — advantage? those data are being looked at and _ advantage? those data are being looked at and collected and - advantage? those data are being looked at and collected and we . advantage? those data are beingi looked at and collected and we do expect— looked at and collected and we do expect it — looked at and collected and we do expect it to— looked at and collected and we do expect it to spread. _ looked at and collected and we do expect it to spread. you _ looked at and collected and we do expect it to spread. you can- looked at and collected and we do expect it to spread. you can delay the spread — expect it to spread. you can delay the spread by— expect it to spread. you can delay the spread by actions, _ expect it to spread. you can delay the spread by actions, you - expect it to spread. you can delay the spread by actions, you will- expect it to spread. you can delay| the spread by actions, you will not stop it. _ the spread by actions, you will not stop it. and — the spread by actions, you will not stop it. and you _ the spread by actions, you will not stop it, and you can _ the spread by actions, you will not stop it, and you can see _ the spread by actions, you will not stop it, and you can see that - the spread by actions, you will not stop it, and you can see that nowi stop it, and you can see that now delta _ stop it, and you can see that now delta is _ stop it, and you can see that now delta is pretty— stop it, and you can see that now delta is pretty much— stop it, and you can see that now delta is pretty much everywhere, depending — delta is pretty much everywhere, depending on— delta is pretty much everywhere, depending on what _ delta is pretty much everywhere, depending on what omicron - delta is pretty much everywhere, depending on what omicron does delta is pretty much everywhere, . depending on what omicron does in terms _ depending on what omicron does in terms of— depending on what omicron does in terms of its — depending on what omicron does in terms of its transmissibility - depending on what omicron does in terms of its transmissibility it - terms of its transmissibility it might— terms of its transmissibility it might either— terms of its transmissibility it might either spread - terms of its transmissibility it might either spread or- terms of its transmissibility it might either spread or it- terms of its transmissibility it might either spread or it gets halted — might either spread or it gets halted because _ might either spread or it gets halted because delta - might either spread or it gets halted because delta beats. might either spread or it gets halted because delta beats it| might either spread or it gets - halted because delta beats it and we 'ust halted because delta beats it and we just don't— halted because delta beats it and we just don't know— halted because delta beats it and we just don't know yet. _ halted because delta beats it and we just don't know yet.— halted because delta beats it and we just don't know yet._ you | just don't know yet. thank you. you to from just don't know yet. thank you. you go from the — just don't know yet. thank you. you go from the i-- _ just don't know yet. thank you. you go from the i.. do _ just don't know yet. thank you. you go from the i.. do you _ just don't know yet. thank you. you go from the i.. do you hope - just don't know yet. thank you. you go from the i.. do you hope the - just don't know yet. thank you. you | go from the i.. do you hope the jcvi go from the i.. do you hope thejcvi will report back on whether to increase boosters by the end of this week or will it take longer than that? and can i ask professor chris whitty, when do you expect antiviral treatments that the uk already has on order to be deployed in the nhs for the first time?— for the first time? thanks very much, for the first time? thanks very much. hugo- _ for the first time? thanks very much. hugo- a— for the first time? thanks very much, hugo. a good - for the first time? thanks very much, hugo. a good question | for the first time? thanks very - much, hugo. a good question about the jcvi _ much, hugo. a good question about the jcvi. they are an independent body _ the jcvi. they are an independent body it— the jcvi. they are an independent body. it clearly we hope we will get some _ body. it clearly we hope we will get some answers for everybody as soon as possible — some answers for everybody as soon as possible. fin some answers for everybody as soon as possible-— as possible. on the antivirals commander _ as possible. on the antivirals commander sir _ as possible. on the antivirals commander sir patrick - as possible. on the antivirals commander sir patrick may l as possible. on the antivirals - commander sir patrick may want to add to this but on the antivirals we will have to do a bit of a rethink on the basis of this new variant just to be confident we have the right indications for it because there are a variety of ways you could use it in different ways and what we need to make sure of is whatever stock we have got of these, whatever stock we have got of these, what appear to be highly effective drugs, that we use them in the most effective way and for the right people, because where you are in the pathway from the very beginning, prophylaxis through to treating people in intensive care, working out their place we do need to think through and we need to probably do a rethinkjust to make sure that with the new variant we are targeting in the new variant we are targeting in the right direction.— the right direction. have we got will the right direction. have we got will james? _ the right direction. have we got will james? was _ the right direction. have we got will james? was it _ the right direction. have we got willjames? was it a _ the right direction. have we got will james? was it a mistake i the right direction. have we got. willjames? was it a mistake not the right direction. have we got - will james? was it a mistake not to close the border— will james? was it a mistake not to close the border sooner, _ will james? was it a mistake not to close the border sooner, rather - close the border sooner, rather tight and travel restrictions, and will you be considering adding countries like belgium and others were the omicron variant has been reported to the red list?— were the omicron variant has been reported to the red list? thank you very much- — reported to the red list? thank you very much- i _ reported to the red list? thank you very much. i really _ reported to the red list? thank you very much. i really don't _ reported to the red list? thank you very much. i really don't know- reported to the red list? thank you very much. i really don't know howj very much. i really don't know how we could _ very much. i really don't know how we could have acted faster. i was told about — we could have acted faster. i was told about the news on thursday and we closedm — told about the news on thursday and we closed... we put quite a lot of southern — we closed... we put quite a lot of southern african countries on the red list _ southern african countries on the red list yesterday. some more today. what we _ red list yesterday. some more today. what we are — red list yesterday. some more today. what we are announcing is some tough measures. _ what we are announcing is some tough measures, i'm afraid, for everybody travelling _ measures, i'm afraid, for everybody travelling so — measures, i'm afraid, for everybody travelling so that you have to do a pcr test _ travelling so that you have to do a pcr test as — travelling so that you have to do a pcr test as soon as you get back here _ pcr test as soon as you get back here and — pcr test as soon as you get back here and you have to isolate for 48 hours _ here and you have to isolate for 48 hours until— here and you have to isolate for 48 hours until you get a negative result — hours until you get a negative result i'm _ hours until you get a negative result. i'm afraid that may sound tough _ result. i'm afraid that may sound tough but — result. i'm afraid that may sound tough but that isjust result. i'm afraid that may sound tough but that is just the way it has got — tough but that is just the way it has got to— tough but that is just the way it has got to be. ok, thanks everybody. thank— has got to be. ok, thanks everybody. thank you _ has got to be. ok, thanks everybody. thank ou. ,, , ., �*, ., thank you. studio: that's the end of that downing — thank you. studio: that's the end of that downing street _ thank you. studio: that's the end of that downing street briefing - thank you. studio: that's the end of that downing street briefing with - that downing street briefing with the prime minister, professor chris whitty sir patrick vallance. let's sum up what the prime minister said. he said the new variant omicron that has spread in south africa may be stopped by vaccines over time but it spreads rapidly and can spread between people who are double vaccinated. the prime minister said new measures are needed in order to buy time, so he announced anybody arriving in the uk will be asked to take a pcr covid test on the second day after arrival. they must self isolate until they have a negative test. he also said the government will require all contacts of somebody who tests positive for the omicron variant to self isolate for ten days. he said there will be a tightening up on the rules of wearing face coverings in shops and on public transport in england. no changes in the hospitality sector. but he said we will get more details on that. tightening up of face covering rules from the health secretary sajid javid in the next day or so. the prime minister said the government is asking thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation, thejcvi, to give a boost to the booster programme, in his words, by reducing the time gap between the second jab and the booster. he also said the new measures on pcr testing and face coverings that he announced in the last few minutes, they are temporary and precautionary. they will be reviewed, he said, after three weeks. he was asked about christmas, what would christmas be like? he said he was actually no absolutely confident that this christmas will be, in his words, considerably better than last christmas. let's talk to professor susan michie, an expert in health psychology at the university college london, a member of the government's sage advisory committee, the scientific pandemic insights group on behaviour and independent sage, speaking to us in a personal capacity. thank you for being with us. new restrictions announced by the prime minister. pcr testing for people arriving, more rules on face coverings in shops and public transport. does all that make sense or would you like him to have gone further? i sense or would you like him to have gone further?— gone further? i welcome all the measures _ gone further? i welcome all the measures suggested _ gone further? i welcome all the measures suggested but - gone further? i welcome all the measures suggested but i'm . gone further? i welcome all the - measures suggested but i'm surprised he hasn't gone further, especially in the light of the who, world health organization, and patrick vallance, our chief scientific adviser, saying that you must go early and go hard in these situations. and in fact, what has been recommended is less than sage, the scientific advisory group on emergencies, advised before omicron was identified. that included working from home where you can and face coverings without qualifications. so going back to all the places, in fact, you can think about all the places where you wouldn't be allowed to smoke because that means that particulates are getting into your lungs, those are the places where we should have face coverings. and over the last couple of months more and more evidence has been coming out about how effective face coverings, and especially the and 95, or ffp to face masks are in preventing transmission, and to some extent protecting people themselves —— ffp two. sol extent protecting people themselves —— ffp two. so i was surprised that these have not been announced and i think that is a mistake given the situation we are in. but at the same time, we don't know how dangerous this new variant actually is, do we? we don't command again that is an absolute cornerstone of pandemic management you go quickly. you don't wait until you know everything. dr ryan from the who said you almost must be ahead of the curve, ahead of the wave in any pandemic. we must learn the lessons from the mistakes we have made in the past, and i have to say that this is plan b light. what we should have heard is plan b+. ., , ., what we should have heard is plan b+. ., ., b+. people are saying there are new variants all — b+. people are saying there are new variants all the _ b+. people are saying there are new variants all the time, _ b+. people are saying there are new variants all the time, this _ b+. people are saying there are new variants all the time, this is - b+. people are saying there are new variants all the time, this is a - variants all the time, this is a feature of the virus, we have to learn to live with it, we cannot go too far every time there's a new of concern. 5ir too far every time there's a new of concern. ,, ., . ~ too far every time there's a new of concern. ,, ., a ., ., . concern. sir patrick vallance explained — concern. sir patrick vallance explained very _ concern. sir patrick vallance explained very well - concern. sir patrick vallance explained very well why - concern. sir patrick vallance explained very well why this| explained very well why this particular variant is of great concern. it is notjust the fact that there are 50 mutations and 30 mutations on the spike protein, but the particular clustering is of real concern in terms of both being more transmissible and potentially undermining the immunity conferred by our present vaccinations. none of us want to be in a situation of more restrictions down the line. if we want to maximise the chance of not having more restrictions down the line then taking these measures at this moment is the best possible thing we can do, because what has happened time and time again is there has been what's rather unchallenged no charitably called dither and delay. i’m unchallenged no charitably called dither and delay.— unchallenged no charitably called dither and delay. i'm afraid we have to cut ou dither and delay. i'm afraid we have to cut you off _ dither and delay. i'm afraid we have to cut you off because _ dither and delay. i'm afraid we have to cut you off because we _ dither and delay. i'm afraid we have to cut you off because we have - dither and delay. i'm afraid we have to cut you off because we have to i to cut you off because we have to say goodbye to our viewers on bbc one. sorry to interrupt you there, susan michie, because we just had to say goodbye to those particular viewers on bbc one. let me ask you also about the vaccine booster programme. the government is asking thejcvi to look again at reducing thejcvi to look again at reducing the time between the second jab and the time between the second jab and the vaccine booster. is this safe and is this sensible? my my understanding is yes, to both of those questions. that is something that people have been calling for, and extending to the younger age groups also. find and extending to the younger age 9"°ups also-— and extending to the younger age r-rousalso. �* , ., �* ~ ., groups also. and yet we don't know 100% how well _ groups also. and yet we don't know 10096 how well the _ groups also. and yet we don't know 10096 how well the vaccine - groups also. and yet we don't know 10096 how well the vaccine will- groups also. and yet we don't know 10096 how well the vaccine will dealj 100% how well the vaccine will deal with this new omicron variant. the data coming _ with this new omicron variant. ire: data coming out from with this new omicron variant. ii9 data coming out from south with this new omicron variant. ii9: data coming out from south africa are suggesting that it is partially effective. the people in hospital are primarily the unvaccinated, which suggests that the vaccination is conferring some benefit, so i think people are confident it is going to confer some benefit. the question as to what extent is it going to be undermined compared to what we have at the moment? susan mickie, thank — what we have at the moment? susan mickie, thank you _ what we have at the moment? susan mickie, thank you very _ what we have at the moment? susan mickie, thank you very much - what we have at the moment? susan mickie, thank you very much indeed. you have been watching a bbc news special. returning travellers must take a pcr test, rules on masks will be tightened in england, and anybody coming in contact with a case of omicron must be isolated. this will slow down the _ omicron must be isolated. this will slow down the spread _ omicron must be isolated. this will slow down the spread of _ omicron must be isolated. this will slow down the spread of the - omicron must be isolated. this will slow down the spread of the new i slow down the spread of the new variant and maximise our defences. to the new rules will be reviewed in three weeks. also on the programme, three weeks. also on the programme, three people die as storm arwen hits the uk with winds of up to 100 mph. and the family and friends of one