Britain on Thursday implored people to obey tougher restrictions to slow the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant after revelations about alleged lockdown parties at Prime Minister Boris Johnson's residence provoked an outcry over hypocrisy.
Johnson imposed restrictions on England on Wednesday, just hours after apologising for a video showing staff laughing about a party in Downing Street during a 2020 Christmas COVID lockdown when such festivities were banned for the population.
"No-one is exempt. No-one is above the rules, above the law on this," said Javid, who said he was angry and upset by the video of Downing Street staffers joking about how to swerve potential reporter questions over a lockdown party. Scientific advisers said Britain could face more than 1,000-2,000 Omicron hospitalisations per day if no action was taken - numbers that would swiftly overwhelm the National Health Service and prevent other emergency treatments.
Downing Street had denied there was a party and Johnson has said he has been assured the gatherings did not break any COVID rules. The British media have reported a series of parties in Downing Street at the time. Britain's most senior civil servant, Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, has been tasked by Johnson with investigating the Dec. 18 Downing Street gathering, attended by around 40-50 people, as well as other such events.
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