Johnson tightens rules to crack down on omicron

The Independent's Morning Headlines email [View online]( December 09, 2021 [Morning Headlines]( 1 / [Plan B: Working from home back and Covid passports needed for big events, PM announces]( Boris Johnson has announced the government will implement its “plan B” for England with the introduction of Covid passports for large venues and guidance for the public to work from home from Monday. The prime minister’s decision to ramp up restrictions – after a meeting of the government’s Covid operations committee – comes in response to concerns over the transmissibility of the omicron variant and spread around the world. He also announced the mandatory wearing of face masks will be extended to cinemas and theatres after they were reintroduced a fortnight ago for public transport and shops, but exemptions will be included for eating, drinking and exercising. 2 / [Boris Johnson faces pressure from own side as Covid party row claims scalp of top aide Allegra Stratton]( ‘None of this is remotely defensible’: Tories vent anger at bungled handling of allegations 3 / [Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein pictured lounging at Queen’s Balmoral cabin in trial exhibit]( The couple visited the estate as guests of Prince Andrew in 1999 4 / [Pfizer boss predicts fourth jab might be needed to tackle omicron variant]( Company is waiting to see real-world data to decide if additional doses would be needed 5 / [Jimmy Lai among three Hong Kong pro-democracy activists convicted over Tiananmen vigil]( Hong Kong court rules against media tycoon Jimmy Lai, barrister Chow Hang Tung and former opposition politician Gwyneth Ho The Big Question What do we know about the infamous Downing Street Christmas party? Boris Johnson has apologised for the “offence” caused by leaked footage showing Downing Street staff joking about a Christmas party at No 10 last year. The prime minister said he had asked the cabinet secretary to investigate claims of a festive gathering on 18 December last year, telling MPs at Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday that he was “furious” at the film of aides laughing about the issue. But he stopped short of actually conceding that the event in question did indeed take place. So what do we know for sure about the episode? [Read the full story >]( Watch / [Sobbing Allegra Stratton resigns after leaked Downing Street party video]( NUMBER OF THE DAY 10,000 Health secretary Sajid Javid has told MPs there were already 568 confirmed cases the Covid variant omicron in the UK - but that the real number was “probably closer to 10,000”. QUOTE OF THE DAY “I understand the anger and frustration that people feel. To all of you who lost loved ones, who endured intolerable loneliness and who struggled with your businesses, I'm truly sorry." – Boris Johnson’s former press secretary Allegra Stratton as she quit her government role after being filmed laughing about a Downing Street Christmas party. Other stories you might like [Wreckage of F-35 jet that plunged from HMS Queen Elizabeth raised from Mediterranean Sea]( [Finland’s prime minister faces criticism for staying out clubbing till 4am despite Covid exposure]( [Hospital theatre nurse charged with voyeurism and sexual assaults against patients and staff]( Articles available exclusively to subscribers Borzou Daragahi, The Independent: ["Something rotten in the state of Bulgaria"]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.