Covid could ruin Christmas for the next five years, experts have warned.
The cheery predictions come as the new restrictions have been announced by the government for this year’s festive period in the face of the new virus variant, Omicron.
Why will Covid cause chaos at Christmas for five more years?
Advisors part of SP-M-O (Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, Operational sub-group) say that the virus will continue to cause problems for the NHS.
This could continue until it reaches an ‘endemic state’.
In a statement, advisors said: “It will take a long time for Covid-19 to settle to its endemic state.
“The path to endemicity will be critically dependent on the rate of waning of immunity…
“… and chosen policies on vaccination and boosting.
Additionally, the experts said: “SARS-CoV-2 will continue to be a threat to health system function and require active management…
“… of which vaccination and surveillance are key, for at least the next five years.”
What are the new measures?
The comments, made at a meeting on November 24, come after the government introduced new restrictions.
In the lead up to Christmas, mask-wearing in public spaces such as shops and public transport are now mandatory.
Elsewhere, tougher travel restrictions have also been put in place.
These include quarantining.
Furthermore, to combat the spread of Omicron, the government also made the booster jab available to all adults in the UK.
What did Sajid Javid say about this Christmas?
Despite the bleak news, Health Secretary Sajid Javid told Brits that Christmas parties should not be cancelled this year.
This seemed to conflict with advice from Deputy Chief Medical Office, Dr Jenny Harries, who cautioned on excessive socialising.
Read more: GMB: Health Secretary ‘can’t guarantee’ there won’t be a lockdown at Christmas
However, Mr Javid said: “I think people can go about their business, whether that’s socialising or otherwise, as long as they are following the rules.”
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