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PRIVACY

Boris Johnson 'poised to confirm Christmas is ON despite Omicron crisis'

More than 200 cases of the Omicron strain have been recorded in the UK - but Boris Johnson is reportedly ready to confirm Christmas will happen without any large restrictions

(Getty Images)

Boris Johnson is ready to confirm "Christmas is on" despite growing concerns about the Omicron strain of Covid-19, it is tonight reported.

The Prime Minister is believed to be poised to deliver an update on the new variant days earlier than the three-week review - initially said to happen on December 18.

In this, it is already understood Mr Johnson will announce Christmas will happen with no further Covid restrictions.

But there have been 246 recorded cases of the Omicron strain in the UK - 86 of which were detected today, according to the UK Health Security Agency.

And there were 54 deaths of people today who'd received a positive Covid test in the past 28 days.

The Prime Minister is believed to share an Omicron update earlier than expected(PA)

Insiders, though, say ministers are “gripped with a united fear the public would never forgive them if they ruin Christmas for the second year running".

A Downing Street source told The Sun : "The hope is we won’t have to introduce anything new, and the current measures — testing at the border and mask wearing — are not too much of an impingement."

Deputy PM Dominic Raab told people to go out and enjoy Christmas today - but warned Brits to use their “common sense”.