Boris Johnson news – PM’s baby daughter Romy was ‘badly ill’ from COVID forcing him to isolate during No.10 party crisis

Boosters best way to avoid more Covid restrictions

Top-up boosters are considered the best way to avoid more Covid restrictions, and The Sun’s Jabs Army is dedicated to getting jabs in Brits’ arms.

Almost two-thirds of Brits over the age of 12 have had a booster, while almost 84 per cent are double-jabbed.

Omicron has been shown in multiple studies to be more mild than its predecessor Delta.

Ditching Plan B is vital for our recovery

This is a comment piece by Trevor Kavanagh

FOR Britain, the Covid war is over. Hospital admissions, infections and deaths are down.

The virus is weakening. Vaccinations are working.

Boris Johnson has declared a ceasefire, giving our shell-shocked economy and blighted high streets a chance of survival after two years of lockdown misery.

Working from home is no longer encouraged.

We can resume hugging and holidays, visiting GPs, showing our faces and living life as it used to be.

And embrace this return to normality we must.

Your after-work pub will welcome your hard-earned cash.

The sandwich shop where you buy your lunch will be delighted to once again prepare your “usual”. 

Yet like Japanese soldiers still fighting after hostilities ended, public sector vested interests are determined to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Streets are filled with terrified mask-wearers. They dive for cover if anyone comes close and tick off those who go bare-faced. Society is divided.

Covid has become political warfare by another name.

PM denies accusations 

BORIS Johnson yesterday insisted he has seen "no evidence" of accusations that No10 are blackmailing mutinous MPs into backing his troubled leadership.

On a visit to Somerset today the PM said: "I've seen no evidence, heard no evidence to support any of those allegations.

"And what I'm focused on is what we're doing to deal with the number one priority of the British people - which is coming through Covid."

Downing Street also said it was not aware of any evidence to support the backbencher's "serious allegations".

Senior Tory William Wragg, who has called for the PM to quit, said some of his colleagues were facing "intimidation" that could be a matter for the police.

Sajid Javid defends Boris Johnson

Mr Javid said Mr Johnson is "not going anywhere".

Asked if he was getting sick of having to defend the PM, he added: "I’m not getting tired of doing my job, which is I think is a pretty important one.

"Rightly, I support this government in everything we are delivering on.

"I want to play my role in that. I support our Prime Minister and I accept his call to give the time and space for this investigation to be done. 

“And when it is done and the facts are established, as he’s said he will come to Parliament, he will take full responsibility and he will subject himself to scrutiny by all MPs from all parties, and I think that will be the right way forward."

Changed: The full list of 20 Omicron symptoms

THE list of the top 20 Omicron symptoms has been updated, with two new signs of the variant you shouldn't ignore.

The top 20 symptoms:

• Runny nose
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Persistent cough
• Hoarse voice
• Other
• Unusual join pains
• Chills or shivers
• Fever
• Dizzy
• Eye soreness
• Brain fog
• Unusual muscle pains
• Altered smell
• Skipped meals
• Swollen glands
• Chest pain
• Earache

Face masks - ditched

In a surprise move the PM also announced that rules on wearing masks in public places in England are also being ditched from midnight next Wednesday.

He had been widely expected to keep face covering guidance in place until cases of Omicron further subsided.

Currently, people have to cover up on public transport and in shops, post offices, banks, beauty salons, hairdressers, theatres and cinemas.

The PM also announced that rules requiring kids to wear masks in classrooms have been immediately ripped up ahead of lessons on January 20.

Wider guidance advising children and teachers to wear coverings in communal areas like hallways and canteens will also go next Thursday.

The 3 most common Omicron symptoms

Most Brits have said the illness feels like a common cold and data suggests that there are three main symptoms people are suffering with.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) states that the most commonly reported symptoms have been a cough, fatigue and headache.

These vary from the three main symptoms of coronavirus set out by the NHS which have not changed since Covid reached our shores in March 2020.

The NHS still lists a new persistent cough, a loss of taste and smell and a high temperature as the key signs of Covid.

It's important that if you think you have Covid you get a test and follow isolation guidelines, which state you need to isolate for five days.

Vaccine programme to take the chains off Covid restrictions

The PM said Britain’s world- beating vaccine programme means the country can finally cast off the chains of Covid restrictions.

And he reminded his mutinous party that he faced down Sage scientists’ calls for a Christmas lockdown and took a “different path” to most of Europe — including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

He added: “We kept England open and we supported those businesses that faced reduced demand because of the response to Plan B measures. Although we must continue to remain cautious, the data are showing that, time and again, this government got the toughest decisions right.”

'We’re now battling 2 different types of Covid disease'

THE NHS is battling two different types of Covid disease in the population, a top doctor has said.

Matthew Trainer, chief executive of Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, explained not all patients are facing the same outcomes.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We've now effectively got two types of Covid really.

“There is Covid amongst vaccinated people, and Covid amongst the unvaccinated.

“And if you're unlucky enough to get severe illness, vaccination is the difference between probably a short stay on a ward with oxygen and potentially a bit critical care, and that puts all these conversations on restrictions to a very different light.”

Mr Trainer said the “vast majority of Covid patients who are in critical care continue to be unvaccinated”.

'Start to see the light at the end of the tunnel'

Declaring that the pandemic is in its final days, Boris became the first world leader to promise all curbs will soon be confined to the dustbin of history.

He told MPs: “The United Kingdom can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. That is no accident of history.

"Confronted by the nation’s biggest challenge since the Second World War and the worst pandemic since 1918, any government would get some things wrong, but this government got the big things right.”

Exact reason Novak Djokovic was booted out of Australia

A JUDGE has revealed Novak Djokovic was booted out of Australia because it was feared he could incite anti-vax protests.

The tennis world number one was deported on Sunday following a humiliating vaccine row that rumbled on for almost two weeks - ending with him being barred from the country for three years.

Now Federal Court Chief Justice James Allsop has revealed exactly why judges backed Immigration Minister Alex Hawke's decision to revoke Djokovic's visa.

A ruling released today says: “An iconic world tennis star may influence people of all ages, young or old, but perhaps especially the young and the impressionable, to emulate him.

“This is not fanciful; it does not need evidence. It is the recognition of human behaviour from a modest familiarity with human experience.

“Even if Mr Djokovic did not win the Australian Open, the capacity of his presence in Australia playing tennis to encourage those who would emulate or wish to be like him is a rational foundation for the view that he might foster anti-vaccination sentiment.”

The judges also pointed to reports that Djokovic is an anti-vaxxer after he was quoted in April 2020 saying he was "opposed to vaccination".

Boris & Carrie Johnson’s baby daughter was ‘hit quite badly’ with Covid

BORIS Johnson's baby daughter was badly-hit by Covid when she was just five weeks old, it has been reported.

The Prime Minister, 57, vanished from the public eye last Thursday after a member of his family tested positive for the virus.

It's now claimed little Romy was poorly with the illness.

She's believed to be "on the mend", the Daily Mail reports.

Romy Iris Charlotte Johnson was born on December 9 at University College Hospital in London. She's the second child shared by Mr and Mrs Johnson, following the birth of Wilfred 20 months ago.

Sajid Javid demands Christian Wakeford must hold a by-election

TORY turncoat Christian Wakeford MUST hold a by-election after switching to Labour, Sajid Javid blasted today. 

The Health Secretary threw down the gauntlet to the Bury South MP and urged him to put his defection decision to the voters.

Mr Wakeford previously supported a law-change requiring MPs who cross the floor to fight a fresh ballot. 

Challenging him to stick to his word, confident Mr Javid said: "It should be up to the people of Bury South. Let them choose. Let them decide."

But senior Tories are privately petrified of the prospect of a by-election for fear of being hammered.

Further to this, Mr Johnson is not yet out of the woods and is nervously awaiting the Sue Gray report into Downing St parties.

Mr Javid said Mr Johnson is "not going anywhere".

Asked if he was getting sick of having to defend the PM, he added: "I’m not getting tired of doing my job, which is I think is a pretty important one."

Explained: Vaccine Passports

Brits will no longer have to show proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter large venues like football grounds and nightclubs.

All domestic use of vaccine passports is being dropped from next Thursday morning in a move that will please many Tory MPs.

Boris faced a huge Commons rebellion when the measure was introduced last month and only got it through thanks to Labour.

The current restrictions covere indoor events of more than 500 people and outdoor arenas hosting more than 4,000.

At the time the Government justified jabs papers by saying they were "preferable to closing venues entirely or reimposing social distancing".

How Cola can give a false positive lateral flow

As the pandemic has gone on, people have decided to do experiments on the tests, leaving many confused when they then show a positive result with different liquids.

Taking to Instagram, one doctor explained why liquids such as cola and citrus really show a positive line on a lateral flow test.

NHS doctor and nutritionist Dr Joshua Wolrich, explained that the solution you put the swab into after it's been in your nose/throat is what's known as a buffer solution.

He explained: "It has a controlled pH that allows the test to work accurately.

"Pouring any other sort of liquid without controlled pH (tap water, coke, etc) on the test is completely and utterly pointless.

"If it comes up with two lines after that, it's not proof that the test has always been pointless or whatever nonsense the anti-vaxxers are claiming.

"It's simply a visual representation that medical tests are only valid when the instructions are followed and the pH of your solution is giving you a meaningless result."

When you can and can’t leave Covid isolation

It is a requirement to self-isolate when you test positive for Covid, or get symptoms, to stop the virus spreading further.

But in a glimmer of hope, the Covid-control strategy, which has been in place for almost two years, may soon be scrapped.

The standard self-isolation is ten full days.

If you are unvaccinated, there is no option to leave quarantine early - you must always isolate for ten days.

For those who are vaccinated, they may have freedom much earlier based on their lateral flow test results.

In a change to self-isolation guidance from January 17, people in England can leave quarantine after five full days, so long as they test negative on days five and six.

Read more here.

Boosters best way to avoid more Covid restrictions

Top-up boosters are considered the best way to avoid more Covid restrictions, and The Sun’s Jabs Army is dedicated to getting jabs in Brits’ arms.

Almost two-thirds of Brits over the age of 12 have had a booster, while almost 84 per cent are double-jabbed.

Omicron has been shown in multiple studies to be more mild than its predecessor Delta.

The full list of reasons to get a PCR test

In England, the reasons for ordering a PCR test are:

1. You have Covid symptoms 
2. You’ve been in contact with someone who’s tested positive and you must self-isolate
3. You’ve been asked to get a test by a local council or someone from NHS Test and Trace
4. A GP or other health professional has asked you to get a test
5. You’re taking part in a government pilot project
6. You’ve been asked to get a test to confirm a positive result
7. You’ve received an unclear result and were told to get a second test
8. You need to get a test for someone you live with who has symptoms (you can order tests for up to three household members) 
9. You’re in the National Tactical Response Group
10. You are due to have surgery or a procedure (in some occasions)

Exceptions to the lateral flow test rule:

1. People who are eligible for the £500 Test and Trace Support Payment (TTSP) will still be asked to take a confirmatory PCR so they can access financial support
2. People participating in research or surveillance programmes may still be asked to take a follow-up PCR test
3. Around one million people in England who are at particular risk of becoming seriously ill from Covid are involved in new research of treatments

Britain first few countries to head to exit door

Conservative MP Bob Seely said BoJo deserved credit for taking the country out of lockdown.

He added: “We are one of the first countries in the world to head for the exit door. We have repeatedly seen how the modelling and forecasting has been exaggerated. I’m delighted that Boris and the Cabinet got there at last.”

Mr Seely urged Boris to set out a plan to avoid more curbs next winter. Last night, Mr Javid batted off claims BoJo had “just got lucky” by deciding against imposing a Christmas lockdown as Omicron struck.

He said: “The central decision he made — to focus on boosters — has been vindicated. That is the main reason we are where we are today.” With cases in freefall, he said Omicron is now firmly “in retreat”.

Donald Trump-style cash sums to help pay energy bills

MILLIONS of poor Brits could get Donald Trump-style cash sums to help pay for their soaring energy bills, The Sun understands.

Rishi Sunak is looking at plans to give a one-off chunk of money to struggling workers who are set to be stung by huge hikes.

Boris Johnson has been locked in talks with the Chancellor, Business Secretary and energy firms over the best way to take the edge off and avoid Brits being stung with hundreds of pounds of extra bills.

Experts at the Social Market Foundation today backed the idea of a one-off £500 payment - but insiders say it's technically hard to write virtual cheques for millions of people, and there's no mechanism to do it.

The system would be similar to when former US President Donald Trump made direct payments of hundreds of dollars to every person in the US during the Covid crisis.

But it's understood that it would be complex to do the same here, as there isn't a simple system in place to make such payments.

A Treasury source told The Sun: "Ministers are looking at ways we can help to support households in the short term - particularly for those who need it most.

"There is no easy or perfect way to do this.

"A variety of options are being looked at and as always we will keep the policies we have in place under review."

Read more here.

Omicron variant proven to be milder for some

The Omicron variant has been proven to be milder for some people and most who have caught it have reported cold-like symptoms.

A string of hugely positive studies show Omicron is milder than other strains in the vaccinated, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.

Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.

The Sun's Jabs Army campaign is helped get the vital extra vaccines in Brits' arms to help restrictions be removed.

Daily UK Covid cases down on last week as Omicron deaths ‘passed the peak’

DAILY Covid-19 infections are down on last week's rates as experts say Omicron deaths have now 'passed the peak'.

A further 107,364 coronavirus cases have been reported today as Brits get back to the office after the PM axed work from home orders.

It's a drop on last week's figures when 109,133 people tested positive with the virus.

Yesterday 108,069 new Covid infections were reported by the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA), with a further 359 deaths.

Today there were an additional 330 deaths within 28 days of a positive test.

The 3 most common Omicron symptoms

Most Brits have said the illness feels like a common cold and data suggests that there are three main symptoms people are suffering with.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) states that the most commonly reported symptoms have been a cough, fatigue and headache.

These vary from the three main symptoms of coronavirus set out by the NHS which have not changed since Covid reached our shores in March 2020.

The NHS still lists a new persistent cough, a loss of taste and smell and a high temperature as the key signs of Covid.

It’s important that if you think you have Covid you get a test and follow isolation guidelines, which state you need to isolate for five days.