UK cabinet to meet as pressure for new COVID restrictions grows

Britain's cabinet will meet later on Monday as pressure grows on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to slow the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant with a tightening of social restrictions before Christmas.

Britain has reported record levels of COVID-19 cases, with officials and ministers warning that the full effects of the latest wave are still yet to be seen.

Omicron, first detected last month in southern Africa and Hong Kong, has raced around the globe and so far been reported in at least 89 countries. It is known to be highly transmissible, but the severity of illness it causes remains unclear.

Twelve people in Britain have so far died with the Omicron variant and Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab said that 104 people were currently in hospital with it.