Johnson faces biggest Tory rebellion over UK new Covid measure

Bloomberg

Boris Johnson is being squeezed from both sides of the argument over how to tackle a “staggering” surge in Covid-19 omicron infections — and that could have dangerous implications for the UK.
The prime minister suffered the biggest Conservative rebellion of his tenure, as 100 members of Parliament opposed his strategy for clamping down on the new coronavirus variant. Many accused Johnson of going too far, too soon when so much still remains unknown about the new variant.
At the same time, warnings are growing that the sheer number of infections expected — Health Secretary Sajid Javid told Parliament that scientists have never seen Covid-19 spread so fast — mean the National Health Service is again at risk of being overwhelmed unless ministers take tougher action. There were almost 60,000 new confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK, though the number of daily omicron infections was estimated to be 200,000 as of Monday, with the rate doubling every two to three days.
“It’s probably the most significant threat we’ve had since the start of the pandemic,” UK Health Security Agency Chief Executive Officer Jenny Harries told the House of Commons Transport Committee.
“The numbers that we see on data over the next few days will be quite staggering compared to the rate of growth that we’ve seen in cases for previous variants.” Measures brought in with the help of opposition votes include Covid passes to gain entry to nightclubs and other venues, an expansion of mandatory mask-wearing, and compulsory vaccination for NHS workers.
Johnson’s Tories “won’t vote for basic public health measures,” Labour Party leader Keir Starmer told the House of Commons. “If it wasn’t for Labour votes, his government wouldn’t have been able to introduce vital health measures we need to save lives and protect the NHS.” With Johnson’s party making clear where it stands on Covid restrictions, the prime minister could find his options limited even if the pandemic
demands it.