we report from one of the worst hit places. hello, and welcome to viewers in the uk and around the world. president biden is expected to announce new measures later today — to combat a surge of covid infections, driven by the 0micron variant. officials say, 0micron accounts for 73% of all new cases recorded in the country. 1,000 military, medical personnel are being mobilised — to help increase vaccination capacity. the federal government will distribute 500 million free covid tests, and set up federal covid testing sites in new york city. more on that in just a moment. in france, the government is to fast—track a covid vaccine passport law — they expect that to be adopted by the middle ofjanuary. in germany, federal leaders are meeting now — to decide on new measures there. in the last hour — in the uk — the government has announced measures to help businesses — dealing with mass cancellations, a drop in footfall on the high street — and staff absence, because of covid. here's colletta smith. with no customers and only a handful of shoppers, it doesn't feel like the final countdown to christmas. but after days of pressure from businesses, the treasury has now announced financial support. firstly, we are announcing £1 billion in financial grant support which means eligible hospitality companies will be able to claim a cash grant up to £6,000. secondly, we're providing £30 million to top up our successful cultural recovery fund to support institutions like theatres and museums and lastly, we're reintroducing our statutory sick pay rebate scheme so small and medium—sized companies can claim compensation from the government for the costs of sick pay for their employees. it's a generous package for some of those industries who have been struggling to pay bills with so many empty seats. restaurants, pubs and hotels have had a tidal wave of christmas cancellations, so this extra billion pounds is exactly what they've been asking for. we have had unprecedented constructive engagement and dialogue not only with the chancellor but also with ministers across the range of government, and i have been speaking to ministers daily and a number of times with the chancellor and treasury ministers, so we have had unprecedented support from him and other ministers across government. theatres and museums are getting extra money, too. with hundreds of performances across theatres across the uk being cancelled because of covid issues, like this one, the industry will be really relieved to hear the chancellor making an announcement today about that 30 million funding for the culture sector in particular. with so many people off work sick right now, any small or medium—sized company should be able to get their hands on extra cash as a rebate to cover statutory sick pay. but shops and hairdressers will not be able to get extra funding being offered to hospitality and theatres. the phone rings, you get cancellations, when you've got staff that have gone home with covid, we've had two of those, that's ten days�* worth of clients, and you cannot accommodate them. you could lose them, they could go elsewhere, and we still have to keep on paying out, it's really tough. you have sleepless nights, i can assure you. juggling those bills with more customers bailing out of appointments is feeling like a very close shave. colletta smith, bbc news, in salford. britain's opposition labour party has welcomed the funding announced by the chancellor — but called for "clarity" on further coronavirus measures and questioned the prime minister's ability to "take the decisions necessary." pat mcfadden embraced the sick pay rebate for businesses, but wants eligibility across the board so everybody who needed to take time off work could do so. this package should have been announced a week ago. it's good as far as it goes but the big question on people's minds is, can the prime minister still take the decisions necessary to protect public health, or is he now such a prisoner of tory divisions that he can't put public health first because he's too worried about what will get past this cabinet and what will get past this backbenchers? that's the politics. let's speak to our business correspondent, theo leggett. tell us that little bit more about the measures announced. the big issue has been _ the measures announced. the big issue has been over _ the measures announced. the big issue has been over the _ the measures announced. the big issue has been over the past - the measures announced. the big issue has been over the past fewl issue has been over the past few weeks, that although we are not in any form of formal lockdown, though the restrictions are still relatively mild, government ministers have been advising people to be careful about socialising, about going out. and the results of that has been that many hospitality businesses, we are talking pubs, restaurants, night clubs, cinemas, have seen customer numbers fall and fall quite sharply. 40% down. this at a time of year when many businesses need to make a lot of money, it is one of their best months of the year under normal circumstances. what is the chancellor offering? funding that will pay for grants of £6,000 per establishment to make up for some of the money that they have been losing. so hospitality is where it is focused, but other businesses will be able to get money as well through another fund implemented through another fund implemented through local government. it is quite a broad brush, there is. there is a lot there. but the headline, really, is support for hospitality and leisure industries who are really struggling at the moment. we had some of the politicsjust now. had some of the politics just now. what is the reaction been like in the last hour since this has been announced? the cbi have been talking, what have businesses themselves been making of it? broadly positive, and that is partly because what we are seeing here is that there aren't any industries that there aren't any industries that are big losers. it is not as though one sector has been singled out. however, in comparison with the kind of money that is being laid out by the kind of government through the pandemic, people are asking how far this money will go and what happens if restrictions get more serious? for example, after christmas. we know that the prime minister is not looking to introduce anything too dramatic in the run—up to christmas, but if 0micron cases continue to rise steeply, what happens if there are steeper restrictions after christmas, what if businesses are forced to shut down. 50 if businesses are forced to shut down. ,, ., if businesses are forced to shut down, ,, ., , ., if businesses are forced to shut down. ,., ._ ., ., down. so the government may have to no further down. so the government may have to go further in — down. so the government may have to go further in the _ down. so the government may have to go further in the coming _ down. so the government may have to go further in the coming days - down. so the government may have to go further in the coming days and - go further in the coming days and weeks. a quick thought also about sick pay. business to be helped, but is that across the board, everyone who is sick will get some sort of payment? because that has been a factor every last few months with it being a disincentive for people actually taking time off work. weill. actually taking time off work. well, remember what _ actually taking time off work. well, remember what we _ actually taking time off work. well, remember what we are _ actually taking time off work. -ii remember what we are talking about here is statutory sick pay, so the legal minimum. what the government is doing is providing money to help employers with the cost of statutory sick pay. for two weeks, for people who are off work with covid—i9. a lot of businesses are finding that they are suffering from staff shortages because people can't make it to work because they have got covid—i9, and if infection rates continue rising at current rates we are going to see more of that. what the chancellor has put in place as a safety net to help smaller businesses. up to 250 employees. deal with that extra cost. beyond that, we don't know what the government is planning. the chancellor had said today that he would act proportionately in the face of further restrictions. but what does that mean? your guess is as good as mine. what does that mean? your guess is as good as mine-— what does that mean? your guess is as good as mine. thank you very much to that announcement _ as good as mine. thank you very much to that announcement to _ as good as mine. thank you very much to that announcement to what - as good as mine. thank you very much to that announcement to what we - as good as mine. thank you very much j to that announcement to what we have heard in the last hour or so. as we've been hearing, president biden will be outlining additional plans to tackle the spread of the variant later today. in some areas, including new york city, 0micron is responsible for nine out of ten cases. in a moment, we'll hear from the vice president, kamala harris, who's been speaking to cbs news about the spread of the variant, but first mark lobel has this report. texas was bracing itself for an 0micron storm, now it reports what's believed to be the usa's first related death. look how quickly, over the past week in the states, 0micron, in purple here, has taken over the delta variant, represented in orange, in new cases. three, two, one, happy new year! so with ten days until 2022, its dominance — including 90% of new cases here in new york — will no doubt feature injoe biden�*s stark warning for the country's unvaccinated in an address expected later on tuesday. chanting but in boston, there's anger that only the vaccinated will soon be allowed to enter restaurants, and that compulsoryjabs for all city employees will be dished out. in washington, it's indoor mask wearing that's back on the menu, like in california and new york. such is the spread of 0micron, keeping the country's borders closed to southern africa is now looking fruitless. we likely are going to pull back on that pretty soon because we have enough infection in our own country. and we are letting in people from other countries that have as much or more infection than the southern african countries. all as the head of the world health organization pushes for difficult decisions to be made sooner, with his blunt new message in the run—up to christmas, warning the world that an event cancelled is better than a life cancelled. mark lobel, bbc news. the us vice president has been speaking to cbs about the spread of the new varient. she again urged people to get vaccinated. we have the power today to go out and, if you've not been boosted, go get boosted, the power today to go and get vaccinated, and that will have an impact on where we end up tomorrow. is it the fault of the unvaccinated? i don't think this is a moment to talk about fault. it is no—one's fault that this virus hit our shores or hit the world, but it is more about individual power and responsibility and it's about the decisions that everyone has the choice to make. that was the us vice president. i just want to put onto our screens some data from the us cdc about covid—i9 cases and about vaccination that kamala harris was just talking about. in terms of cases, a51 per 100,000. that drops if you are fully vaccinated. those who have had the booster, that drops down to a8 per 100,000. if you translate that in terms of the data on deaths, i'm going to bring those figures up. unvaccinated, six deaths per 100,000. fully vaccinated, 0.5% per 100,000. fully vaccinated, 0.5% per 100,000. and for those boosted, down to 0.1% per100,000. 100,000. and for those boosted, down to 0.1% per 100,000. so that gives you a really clear picture of what the white house and what we have heard from other capitals around the world in terms of the value of vaccination, and critically the booster vaccination campaign. we will have plenty more on that in the next little while, with news coming from denmark in the last few moments that 0micron is now the dominant strain in that country as well. plenty of that main story here in a minute. rescuers reaching islands in the philippines that had been cut off by last week's typhoon have discovered scores more dead and villages that have been flattened. at least 375 people were killed by the powerful storm. the red cross says it's "carnage" in many areas — including the island of siargao in the south of the country. there is no power, no communications, and very little water. 0ur philippines correspondent, howard johnson, is the first international broadcaster to reach the island — he sent us this update from there. i can see just opposite me the philippine red cross offering their satellite phones to people here so that they can call loved ones. it's pitch black here. you can hear maybe the buzz of the generator in the background. there's no electricity here in the city. and i'm standing in an area that was normally a buzzing surfer�*s paradise. it was voted by conde nast as one of the best island destinations in asia this year. and now it resembles a ghost town. you can see trees eerily without leaves on them, lit up by the low lights that are running off the generators tonight. but today, moving around the island, i spoke to many people who were forced into tears because of the experience that they went through when they relived when the storm hit. they said it was an awful experience, they were terrified with their children cowering next to them. and many people have been telling me that they are worried about water supplies here, particularly some people have been getting diarrhoea and stomach issues because the water they're pulling up from the wells is no longer drinkable. so they're appealing for more water, more food and for the electricity to be fixed so that the communications can come back as soon as the electricity is back up. we will be talking to somebody on the islands in an hour's time to get a first—hand account of what it was like when the storm struck. more details have emerged of the hours leading up to the biggest single loss of life in the english channel. at least 31 people died last month — after their small boat capsized off the french coast. a bbc investigation has now identified 20 of those who were on board — all of whom were from iraqi kurdistan. heartbreaking messages from those on board, obtained by the bbc paint a picture of total desperation. bbc persian�*s soran qurbani reports. it was an overcrowded boat, at the mercy of the channel's freezing water. 29 lives were lost that night, and a bbc investigation has identified 20 of them, all from iraqi kurdistan. from the testimonies and messages to their friends and families, we can also piece together their tragic last few hours. this is the voice of this 30—year—old man, nearly five hours after the boat set off on its journey. within 30 minutes of his message, the boat had completely submerged. once in water, people desperately tried to call both the uk and french authorities for help. phones fall into the water before passengers can send the details. just hours later, all but two of at least 31 people are dead. through shipping data and emergency response details, our investigation concludes that the boat was in french waters when it sank. in kurdistan, families still can't find closure. this man lost his entire family on that boat, his wife and three children, the youngest of which was only seven years old. the french authorities have recovered their bodies, but he's still clinging to a desperate hope they might return. translation: no, | i still don't believe it. they could be in a camp or a hospital. i don't believe anyone until i see it with my own eyes. if they bring their bodies, i will check all of them to know, but until then, i won't believe it. i went to calais to find out what drives people to make these deadly journeys. this is the makeshift camp where most of those who were on the boat lived. abbas and his group from iran say taking a boatjourney is playing with death. when i ask about what is his plan, he says if there is a dinghy here, he is going to try tojump on it and try his chance to cross to the uk. four months pregnant lana and her husband, from iraqi kurdistan, nearly died on a previous attempt to cross. she says she is doing this for her baby. translation: we will try again. our life here in this cold isn't far better from being in the sea. if my baby was born, it would have been more difficult, but now i carry him or her with me. if i die, the baby dies with me, too. it's hard to imagine the level of desperation that drives people to deadly sea journeys, but without much hope for a betterfuture, the loss of life isn't going to end. soran ourbani, bbc news, calais. let's return to our main story. i'm joined now by ravi gupta, professor of clinical microbiology at the cambridge institute for therapeutic immunology and infectious diseases. thank you for being here on the programme. the chief medical officer only last week was warning that we would see records repeatedly broken in the coming days and weeks. how worried are you in terms of the trends you are seeing? i worried are you in terms of the trends you are seeing?- worried are you in terms of the trends you are seeing? i think i am uuite trends you are seeing? i think i am quite concerned _ trends you are seeing? i think i am quite concerned because _ trends you are seeing? i think i am quite concerned because of- trends you are seeing? i think i am quite concerned because of the - trends you are seeing? i think i am| quite concerned because of the rate of spread of the omicron variant and the way in which it has taken over from delta, certainly in the london area at least. and the fact that it is feeding through into hospitalisations. now, this has to be caveat it with the fact that we don't know how this virus is going to play out in terms of severity of disease, and that is a very short of contentious issue at the moment. however, restrictions would of course avert some of the serious consequences over the coming weeks. i will come back to restrictions in a moment, buti i will come back to restrictions in a moment, but i know that you have studied what omicron is doing to the body. how significant is it that it doesn't attack the lungs and quite the same way that delta does? the exoeriments _ the same way that delta does? the experiments that the same way that delta does? tta: experiments that we the same way that delta does? tt2 experiments that we have done needs to be taken into context. they really have been done in the laboratory, using cells which represent certain types of cells in the lungs and the upper airways. we are finding that the omicron variant is displaying an unusual characteristic in the way it affects cells. it appears to be less well adapted to the types of cells that might be found in the lower airways, in otherwise there is in the deeper lung tissues, and it seems to be better adapted to those in the upper airway, potentially, although there is experiments need to be extended further. there is an inkling that the virus may have altered its characteristics based on the way that it processes the spike protein. and the implications of that? you said in your earlier answer, and we have heard it for the last three weeks we have been grappling with this, that we need to have more data until we actually can say definitively about the seriousness. when are we going to have that data roughly? forthree when are we going to have that data roughly? for three weeks, we have beenin roughly? for three weeks, we have been in the sort of holding pattern. absolutely, it is really difficult to obtain real—time clinical data on severity because, of course, when somebody walks into the hospital, they don't have a diagnosis of omicron versus delta, and that needs to be done retrospectively. and then theissue to be done retrospectively. and then the issue that there is a significant lack of weeks between first becoming unwell and then needing oxygen or ventilation, or even unfortunately succumbing to this disease. the clinical data are taking time, and it is because of the natural history of the infection. we have vaccination and some underlying immunity now, so those developments might be extended further. therefore, the importance of the laboratory and experimentation, i think, of the laboratory and experimentation, ithink, it of the laboratory and experimentation, i think, it is more of an issue at the moment because of the gap in clinical data. the downside is that we need to be cautious in over interpreting it. i think, rather, the laboratory data should be used to confirm or reject clinical findings. should be used to confirm or reject clinicalfindings. for example, the clinical findings. for example, the observations clinicalfindings. for example, the observations in south africa while i was sceptical initially, do seem to fit with the things i have been observing in my laboratory. 25nd fit with the things i have been observing in my laboratory. and in terms of restrictions, _ observing in my laboratory. and in terms of restrictions, you - observing in my laboratory. and in terms of restrictions, you took - terms of restrictions, you took touched on that in your first answer. as a scientist, where are you in terms of whether we need more restrictions now with these levels in the community? t restrictions now with these levels in the community?— restrictions now with these levels in the community? i don't think that the levels in — in the community? i don't think that the levels in the _ in the community? i don't think that the levels in the community - in the community? i don't think that the levels in the community per- in the community? i don't think that the levels in the community per se i the levels in the community per se are the issue. i think the thing we need to be preventing or defending against is a situation where there are too many people coming to hospital in orderfor are too many people coming to hospital in order for them to be taken care of, and also compromising care for other people with other diseases. and this is going to become a problem, especially during the winter months where we know that the winter months where we know that the number of conditions force people or push people towards hospital. it's that aspect, the disorganisation and the stress on the system, especially itu, and also the system, especially itu, and also the other issue is staff sickness and people being in isolation, which is already causing immense problems in the nhs with staff absenteeism. those are the sorts of things that might tip the policymakers in favour of further measures. the might tip the policymakers in favour of further measures.— of further measures. the professor, i've not to of further measures. the professor, i've got to cut _ of further measures. the professor, i've got to cut across _ of further measures. the professor, i've got to cut across you. _ i've got to cut across you. apologies for that. we are heading straight to the scottish parliament, because the first minister nicolasturgeon on her feet with the latest from there. t nicolasturgeon on her feet with the latest from there.— latest from there. i will also confirm cabinets _ latest from there. i will also confirm cabinets decision i latest from there. i will also confirm cabinets decision to | latest from there. i will also - confirm cabinets decision to propose some _ confirm cabinets decision to propose some additional protections in relation — some additional protections in relation to large—scale live events and indoor— relation to large—scale live events and indoor public places. we judge these _ and indoor public places. we judge these to— and indoor public places. we judge these to be necessary to further slow _ these to be necessary to further slow the — these to be necessary to further slow the spread of the virus so that we can— slow the spread of the virus so that we can protect health, the national health _ we can protect health, the national health service, and the economy as we work_ health service, and the economy as we work to— health service, and the economy as we work to complete booster vaccinations. i have set out further support _ vaccinations. i have set out further sopport for— vaccinations. i have set out further support for the many businesses affected — support for the many businesses affected by the vice we feel duty hound _ affected by the vice we feel duty bound to — affected by the vice we feel duty bound to give in the interest of protecting public health. first, today's— protecting public health. first, today's statistics. 1a.9% of tests carried _ today's statistics. 1a.9% of tests carried out — today's statistics. 1a.9% of tests carried out stop 515 are in hospital with covid—19, one fewer than yesterday. 37 in intensive care. sadly, — yesterday. 37 in intensive care. sadly, a — yesterday. 37 in intensive care. sadly, a further nine deaths have been _ sadly, a further nine deaths have been reported, taking the total number— been reported, taking the total number of deaths under the daily definition— number of deaths under the daily definition to 9790. and i want again to send _ definition to 9790. and i want again to send my— definition to 9790. and i want again to send my condolences to everyone who has _ to send my condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one. presiding officer. _ who has lost a loved one. presiding officer. in— who has lost a loved one. presiding officer, in last week's statement, i reported _ officer, in last week's statement, i reported that cases had increased by 25% in _ reported that cases had increased by 25% in the _ reported that cases had increased by 25% in the preceding seven days, and that we _ 25% in the preceding seven days, and that we would in all likelihood see a further— that we would in all likelihood see a further increase in infections as omicron — a further increase in infections as omicron became the dominant strain circulating _ omicron became the dominant strain circulating in scotland. omicron has now firmly— circulating in scotland. omicron has now firmly established itself as the dominant— now firmly established itself as the dominant strain. we know from the oestrogenic— dominant strain. we know from the oestrogenic dropout indicator that it now— oestrogenic dropout indicator that it now accounts for 62.9% of cases. that is— it now accounts for 62.9% of cases. that is compared to 27.5% this time last week _ that is compared to 27.5% this time last week. omicron is significantly more _ last week. omicron is significantly more transmissible than previous variants _ more transmissible than previous variants and we estimate it is r number— variants and we estimate it is r number is — variants and we estimate it is r number is well above three. it is currently— number is well above three. it is currently spreading rapidly across scotland — currently spreading rapidly across scotland and so the steep increase in infections that was predicted last week has now started to materialise. cases increased by more than 50% _ materialise. cases increased by more than 50% in _ materialise. cases increased by more than 50% in the past week from over 3500 _ than 50% in the past week from over 3500 a _ than 50% in the past week from over 3500 a day— than 50% in the past week from over 3500 a day on average to almost 5500 a day _ 3500 a day on average to almost 5500 a day there _ 3500 a day on average to almost 5500 a day. there were increases across all age _ a day. there were increases across all age groups, a day. there were increases across allage groups, but a day. there were increases across all age groups, but the biggest, an increase _ all age groups, but the biggest, an increase of— all age groups, but the biggest, an increase of a was in the 20—za -year-old _ increase of a was in the 20—za —year—old age group. the rate of acceleration in an age cohort with, to date, _ acceleration in an age cohort with, to date, lower levels relatively speaking of booster protection underlines the vital importance of everyone — underlines the vital importance of everyone getting boosterjabs as quickly _ everyone getting boosterjabs as quickly as possible, and i will return— quickly as possible, and i will return to _ quickly as possible, and i will return to that later. however, as the booster— return to that later. however, as the booster roll—out is completed and bearing in mind that it takes around— and bearing in mind that it takes around a— and bearing in mind that it takes around a week for immune protection to take _ around a week for immune protection to take effect in individuals we must — to take effect in individuals we must also act to slow down the spread — must also act to slow down the spread of— must also act to slow down the spread of cases. i want to explain why that — spread of cases. i want to explain why that is — spread of cases. i want to explain why that is so vital. firstly, arising _ why that is so vital. firstly, arising rate of infections will have on health— arising rate of infections will have on health and social care is considerable. we don't yet know if the proportion of omicron cases needing — the proportion of omicron cases needing hospital care will be lower, higher— needing hospital care will be lower, higher or— needing hospital care will be lower, higher or the same as with delta. however. — higher or the same as with delta. however, there is still no compelling evidence that omicron is intrinsically milder than previous strains~ — intrinsically milder than previous strains. however, even if the proportion— strains. however, even if the proportion of cases needing hospital care is— proportion of cases needing hospital care is lower, as we all hope it will be, — care is lower, as we all hope it will be, a _ care is lower, as we all hope it will be, a smaller proportion of a much _ will be, a smaller proportion of a much larger number of infections will still— much larger number of infections will still have a deeply damaging inrpact~ — will still have a deeply damaging impact. as well as the suffering caused — impact. as well as the suffering caused to— impact. as well as the suffering caused to individuals and families, the additional pressure on our already— the additional pressure on our already stretched national health service _ already stretched national health service will be extremely difficult to manage. in addition, if large numbers— to manage. in addition, if large numbers of people become infected, even mildly, the impact on the economy— even mildly, the impact on the economy and critical services through— economy and critical services through sickness and isolation absences will be crippling. we are already— absences will be crippling. we are already starting to see this impact was not _ already starting to see this impact was not 100 scot rail services were cancelled _ was not 100 scot rail services were cancelled yesterday due to staff absence — cancelled yesterday due to staff absence. theatres are already being forced _ absence. theatres are already being forced to _ absence. theatres are already being forced to cancel shows due to covid-19 _ forced to cancel shows due to covid—19 cases among cast and crews, and staff— covid—19 cases among cast and crews, and staff shortages are already being _ and staff shortages are already being felt across the supply chain and they— being felt across the supply chain and they are exacerbating the intense — and they are exacerbating the intense pressures that the nhs and emergency services are working under~ — emergency services are working under. this is why we must act, and let me _ under. this is why we must act, and let me be _ under. this is why we must act, and let me be clear again, this is not a choice _ let me be clear again, this is not a choice between protecting health and protecting the economy. if we don't stem _ protecting the economy. if we don't stem the _ protecting the economy. if we don't stem the virus, both health and the economy— stem the virus, both health and the economy will suffer. before i set out the _ economy will suffer. before i set out the action we must take, let me address— out the action we must take, let me address one — out the action we must take, let me address one further point. some ask why we _ address one further point. some ask why we can't— address one further point. some ask why we can't wait until we have more data and _ why we can't wait until we have more data and know exactly the impact omicron — data and know exactly the impact omicron will have on the nhs. i totally— omicron will have on the nhs. i totally understand the temptation to delay, _ totally understand the temptation to delay, to _ totally understand the temptation to delay, to hope after two long years of this— delay, to hope after two long years of this that — delay, to hope after two long years of this that further steps might not be necessary. but firstly, as i said a moment— be necessary. but firstly, as i said a moment ago, we are already seeing a moment ago, we are already seeing a significant _ a moment ago, we are already seeing a significant impact from staff absences across the economy and public— absences across the economy and public services. we must do what we can to _ public services. we must do what we can to stem — public services. we must do what we can to stem this. secondly, we know from _ can to stem this. secondly, we know from experience that if we wait until— from experience that if we wait until the — from experience that if we wait until the data tells us conclusively that we _ until the data tells us conclusively that we have a problem, for example with hospital admissions, it will already— with hospital admissions, it will already be too late to act to avoid that problem. we must act quickly, insofar— that problem. we must act quickly, insofar as _ that problem. we must act quickly, insofar as we are able given our financial— insofar as we are able given our financial constraints, and we must -et financial constraints, and we must get ahead — financial constraints, and we must get ahead of the data if we can. the obligation— get ahead of the data if we can. the obligation of government is to take difficult _ obligation of government is to take difficult decisions to keep the country— difficult decisions to keep the country are safe as possible, no matter— country are safe as possible, no matter how unpopular these decisions lightly _ matter how unpopular these decisions lightly let _ matter how unpopular these decisions lightly. let me now is set out the steps _ lightly. let me now is set out the steps we — lightly. let me now is set out the steps we must all take. firstly, they— steps we must all take. firstly, they let — steps we must all take. firstly, they let me stress we are not changing _ they let me stress we are not changing the advice of a christmas that i_ changing the advice of a christmas that i set— changing the advice of a christmas that i set out last week, it is important _ that i set out last week, it is important that withjust that i set out last week, it is important that with just a few days to go— important that with just a few days to go there is certainty about family— to go there is certainty about family gatherings on christmas day and boxing day. i family gatherings on christmas day and boxing day. lam not asking anyone — and boxing day. lam not asking anyone to — and boxing day. lam not asking anyone to change these. however, and i anyone to change these. however, and i cannot— anyone to change these. however, and i cannot stress this enough, please do follow— i cannot stress this enough, please do follow advice to keep family celebrations as safe as possible. keep— celebrations as safe as possible. keep gatherings as small as your family— keep gatherings as small as your family circumstances allow, make sure everyone does a test shortly before _ sure everyone does a test shortly before getting together, anyone who tests positive should not mix with others, _ tests positive should not mix with others, and given how infectious 0micron — others, and given how infectious 0micron is — others, and given how infectious omicron is you should assume that if one member of the household is positive — one member of the household is positive the others are likely to be so, too _ positive the others are likely to be so, too. follow hygiene advice and keep— so, too. follow hygiene advice and keep windows open, and between now and christmas day, keep —— cut your contact _ and christmas day, keep —— cut your contact with — and christmas day, keep —— cut your contact with others as much as possibie — contact with others as much as possible. indeed, stay at her as much _ possible. indeed, stay at her as much as— possible. indeed, stay at her as much as is— possible. indeed, stay at her as much as is feasible. this is the best— much as is feasible. this is the best way— much as is feasible. this is the best way of avoiding getting covid—19 and having to isolate over christmas, — covid—19 and having to isolate over christmas, or inadvertently spreading infection when you do meet up spreading infection when you do meet up with— spreading infection when you do meet up with others. i'm really grateful to everyone who has followed this advice _ to everyone who has followed this advice over the last week. it will be making — advice over the last week. it will be making a difference, and i want to stress— be making a difference, and i want to stress this point. the steep increase — to stress this point. the steep increase in— to stress this point. the steep increase in cases over the past week would _ increase in cases over the past week would have — increase in cases over the past week would have been steeper still but for people complying with this advice — for people complying with this advice. so i hope we may already be collectively — advice. so i hope we may already be collectively slowing the spread. but it is important that we stick with it. it is important that we stick with it my— it is important that we stick with it my first— it is important that we stick with it. my first new request of every wednesday is this, from the 27th of december, — wednesday is this, from the 27th of december, as we come out of the christmas — december, as we come out of the christmas weekend, and at least until the — christmas weekend, and at least until the first end injanuary