BRITS could be plunged into lockdown from tomorrow as Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to host a meeting with SAGE boffins.
The Prime Minister will be briefed by Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance on any changes to the number of people being hospitalised by Omicron.
The mutant strain is making its way across the UK, with hundreds of thousands in isolation over the festive period after testing positive.
However, a string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other strains, 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 helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits' arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.
Despite concerns, the PM has vowed to keep schools open in January despite the spread of Omicron.
Families up an down the country were able to celebrate Christmas together but now face an uncertain New Year as the country waits to see if Prime Minister will impose new restrictions – here are five possible outcomes of his decision.
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No restrictions
With the booster jab rollout gaining momentum accross the country, it could mean that nothing will change.
Currently the majority of those suffering severely from the virus in hospital are unvaccinated – with studies finding that they are 60 times more likely to end up in the ICU.
If ministers ruled that nothing needed to change then it would mean that only Plan B restrictions would remain in place.
These include mandatory masks on public transport, and vaccine passports for nightclubs and football matches.
A total of 119,789 fresh infections and a 90,906 Omicron cases were reported on December 23.
However, more than 30 million boosters have been administered – providing hope for a return to normal life.
A Government source told The Sun: "Our position is still the same, there isn't anything currently to justify more restrictions, but we are keeping it under constant review."
And an insider told The Telegraph that a package of restrictions "doesn't look as likely as it was" after studies showed Omicron as less severe than once thought.
Guidance from the PM
Prime Minister Boris Johnson could continue to urge Brits to be more cautious – but not set out the rules in law.
He could urge those in the UK to limit their contacts and to continue to work from home, but they would not be legally binding.
A Whitehall source told the Financial Times that any new measures that come in after Christmas could instead be guidance.
This would mean Brits would be urged to limit social contact with multiple households and work from home if they can, but fines wouldn't be issued if ignored.
People might also be advised to socialise outside if possible, but hospitality venues would remain open as 'normal'.
Curfews for hospitality
England could join other parts of the UK with slightly more severe scenarios being considered.
Curfews could be imposed for the hospitality sector, which would match up with Ireland.
They currently have an 8pm cut-off for pubs and restaurants, as well as a 50 per cent limit on capacity for events.
However it is understood that a strict curfew in England is very unlikely to be brought in.
Tory rebels are also said to be gearing up to vote against any more restrictions and think that more than 100 of them would revolt.
It would leave the PM in the embarrassing position of having to rely on Labour votes to ram through his measures.
Two week circuit breaker
A circuit breaker is the second most severe action that the Prime Minister could take – designed to give the virus fewer opportunities to spread.
The rules would likely ban indoor mixing, force drinkers to have pints outside and see the return of table service only.
The rule of Six and support bubbles would also return, with the rules lasting at least two to four weeks.
Research from the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, Operational sub-group (Spi-M-O) found that implementing restrictions on could have a huge impact on how the virus spreads.
By enacting the rule of six and outdoor hospitality only there could be a reduction in deaths by 39 per cent if they are kept in place from December 28 to March 28.
If they are only kept in place until January 15 then it would be 18 per cent, but ministers have not yet seen the modelling.
Cabinet ministers this week fanned fears of a circuit breaker as Chancellor Rishi Sunak admitted there was "an enormous amount of uncertainty" and could not rule anything out.
But hopes are rising that he will resist firing the catapult after research showed vaccinated Brits who test positive for the Omicron have substantially reduced risk of hospitalisation compared to the unvaccinated and those infected with Delta.
Full lockdown
Boris' most extreme option is to opt for a full lockdown to curb transmission and relieve the "immense pressure" on the NHS.
This would see the closure of non-essential shops, pubs, restaurants and would put an end to mass events.
Hairdressers, barbers and gyms could also be shut down and holidays abroad are likely to be severely disrupted.
Brits would also be forced to work from home and there would be limits on when people can leave the house.
The drastic move would essentially be returning people to life in March 2020.
Experts have presented Boris Johnson with several options under a so-called Plan C, ranging from "mild guidance to nudge people, right through to lockdown".
However, the chances of draconian measures are understood to be relatively slim, as the Government continues to battle the devastating economic impact of the pandemic.
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