Omicron - your questions answered
With rising Covid infection rates, new data and changes to testing rules, our Health and Science Correspondent, James Gallagher, answers some of your questions.
The UK has seen Covid infections rise to unprecedented levels in recent weeks because of the Omicron variant. But, as early evidence suggested it would, this variant is causing milder illness, for now at least. Hospital admissions are on the up. However, Boris Johnson says England should stick with Plan B for a further three weeks - with a review before the regulations expire on 26 January. He says people in England should continue working from home wherever they can, wear face coverings on public transport, and also in most public indoor places.
Critics say the government should go further with its measure as the NHS remains under severe pressure, in part due to the number of staff having to isolate. Covid testing rules are to be eased for people without symptoms - you'll no longer need to confirm a positive lateral flow test with a PCR. For 5 Minutes On, 麻豆社 Health and Science Correspondent, James Gallagher, and Jonny McGuigan from the 麻豆社's Social Media team, answer some of your questions.
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