this is bbc news. the headlines at five. government scientific advisors warn tougher covid restrictions may be needed very soon in england — to avoid a steep rise in hospital admissions as omicron cases surge. another 90,000 cases have been reported across the uk in the latest 2a hours. london's mayor declares a major incident — meaning the capital's nhs bodies, councils and emergency services can work closer together to limit the impact of the spread of 0micron. it's really important londoners understand how serious things are. the best thing londoners can do is to get both vaccines and the booster, they provide extra layers of protection. football stadiums and shopping

centres are among nearly 3,000 venues in england offering booster jabs this weekend. some are open round—the—clock. a 27—year—old woman arrested after a fire at sutton in south london, in which four young boys died, has been bailed. six of this weekend's premier league games have been postponed because of covid outbreaks at clubs. only one match will be played in the top—flight today — that's leeds united v arsenal. good afternoon. there's a warning that tougher covid restrictions may need to be brought in "very soon" in england — to avoid hospital admissions potentially peaking at around 3,000 a day, as cases

of the 0micron variant surge. the comments appear in leaked minutes from a meeting of the government's scientific advisory group for emergencies. leading infectious diseases expert, professor neil ferguson, says the situation looks precarious. in the last hour, the daily covid figures have been published there were 90,418 new daily cases — the second highest daily figure since the start of the pandemic — after yesterday. 125 new deaths with coronavirus were recorded. and 817,625 booster doses were administered in the latest 2a hour period. ealier i asked, paul hunter, professor in medicine at the university of east anglia, for his reaction to the latest numbers. we normally see case numbers fall on a saturday compared to the previous day. but comparing it with saturday last week it is still a substantial increase, probably well over 50% up on last saturday.

in terms of where we are with the rise in cases and the spread of 0micron, what are your concerns in the coming weeks as to how far that spread will go? i think it's still very difficult at the moment to really know what is going to happen. currently, most of the increase has been in young adults, particularly people in their 20s, but increases on either side of that. the issue is what will happen when the infection spreads into older age groups and how rapidly it will spread. at the moment, the 0micron variant is doubling probably every two days, maybe even a bit more rapidly than that. that sort of rate of doubling can't go on forever. by new year's eve, everyone in the uk will have had an infection, so it has got to slow down soon. the issue is really whether it will move into people who are more vulnerable who are more likely to end up in hospital. that is still far from

clear at the moment. what do you think can be done to prevent that, or at least limit that from happening? i think you are quite right to put the caveat on limit that because i don't think we are actually at the stage where we can prevent additional substantial rises. i think the move toward some sort of further restrictions on movement and mixing will probably come about, because at the problem really is how high this peak will go. if it goes very high, then the health service will substantially come under pressure. if it carries on going at the rate it is, many people in other industries, shops, food outlets, in delivery, all that sort of thing,

many of them will actually be having to self—isolate because they have been positive. so trying to get the balance between that and not extending the epidemic longer is going to be quite difficult. i suspect we are going to have to increase of our restrictions in the coming days. if we talk now about the booster roll out. a lot of people i've spoken to at that's in clinics where they were getting at their booster jabs, they told me their reasons for getting it was to try to keep themselves and their loved ones safe when they meet at christmas. it is important to stress that the protection you get from this isn't immediate, is it? no. typically, you see the full effect about two weeks after the booster.

which means given the incubation period, you can really expect protection to you kicking in about seven days after you have had the booster, but you can still get ill over the coming days and pass the infection on, so we say two weeks but probably a little bit less than that. it is important even after you have had the booster that you do think about what you're doing, at least for the next 10—14 days. you mentioned you think new restrictions may be required in the coming days. what do you make of the leaked minutes from the sage meeting that talked about the fact that restrictions may need to be brought in in in england very soon? i think that is a reasonably sound judgment. i think professor chris whitty said this the other day, one of the things about epidemics is that there is evidence to go up quite quickly often go down quite quickly at the other sides of the peak. so having a balance of not having

a peak that threatens the integrity of the health service and throws a lot of other essential services into disarray, at least same time as trying to ensure we get over this fairly quickly is not going to be easy. rising concern about the rapid spread of the 0micron variant in london has prompted mayor sadiq khan to declare a major incident in the capital. gfx he said "the 0micron variant has quickly become dominant, with cases increasing rapidly and the number of patients in our hospitals on the rise again" in the past seven days, the number of covid patients in london hospitals has gone up by 29% a major incident is described as an event or situtaion with a range of serious consequences and is "beyond the scope of business—as—usual operations". it's an event which requires special arrangements to be implemented

by one or more emergency responders. let's hear a little more of what mayor sadiq khan had to say. we are incredibly concerned by the huge surge in the 0micron variant. over the last 2a hours we have had the largest number of new cases since this pandemic began, more than 26,000, hospital admissions are going up, but also staff absences are going up by massive levels. so i've taken the decision, in consultation with our partners, to declare a major incident today. it's a statement of how serious things are, but also it means that rather than different public authorities working separately, we will be working together through both the london resilience forum, but also throughout the strategic coordination group. it's really important londoners understand how serious things are. earlier i spoke with the deputy chief executive of nhs providers, saffron cordery who told me about the driving force behind the major incident in london. i think we have got two things coming together here. it is the number of covid cases

and that rapid spread and increase in people being admitted to hospital. the second thing is the number from an nhs perspective of staff who are off because of covid, either because they have it themselves or they are self—isolating because they have tested positive. so two factors coming together there. we know it is notjust affecting hospital staff. and billing services, fire services, police, etc. as we heard from a previous piece, retailtoo. so we have a whole swathe of public services coming under pressure because of staff absences. in the nhs they are also having to treat additional covid patients. what is this going to look like in a few weeks' time? it almost seems like the perfect storm for what the government has called a tidal wave of 0micron.

what impact are we likely to see in the coming weeks or months? we do know that this particular version of the covid virus is incredibly transmissible. the doubt our virus had an average of around 1—2. we think omicron has an r rate between a 3—5, so it is significantly more transmissible. what we don't know yet is what is actually going to happen in terms all hospital cases going forward, and potentially deaths. we are looking at the south african data because they are a little ahead of others, that is where this particular variant stems from. we know at the moment it is spreading amongst young people, which alongside population density, is why

we are seeing it spread fast in the capital. when it has all the people we will get a better sense of whether those hospital cases are really going to shoot up. it is an uncertain future at the moment and i think it is absolutely right that we treat this cautiously. in a sense, we have been here before and we know how critical it is to stop the spread. which is why the work that has been done over the past week, ten days, on the booster campaign is absolutely astonishing and it was great to hear 817,000 boosters were administered yesterday, that is a huge number in a single day. the booster campaign is critical. but given the rates at which 0micron and covid cases are rising, even with the booster roll out, is there any way that the tide of growth of these cases can be stemmed without further restrictions? i think that is incredibly difficult to know. i think the bit we aren't yet clear about is how this is going to translate into hospital cases across the

population as a whole. so we just don't know what this pattern of spread and hospital cases is going to be. i think the thing we have to remember is that at the end of the day, it's absolutely government who holds all of the information and the evidence and the scientific data around where it needs to go next. so the health service can give its perspective in terms of what it is seeing and how it is feeling those pressures on the front line. similarly in local government and other areas. but the government has to make that decision. the uk's top civil servant has stepped down from leading an inquiry into downing street lockdown parties, after it emerged an event was held in his own office last year. simon case's investigation was supposed to clear up whether rules had been broken — but instead it's another damaging step for the prime minister

after a bruising couple of weeks. 0ur political correspondent nick eardley reports. westminster has packed up for christmas, but it's events from this time last year that are continuing to cause controversy. simon case is the man the prime minister asked to look at allegations of rule breaking at parties — but yesterday it emerged there had been an event at his own private office. emails had invited people to a christmas party, which it emerged yesterday was a quiz. the cabinet secretary didn't attend, but he did speak to staff as he left — and last night it was announced he would stand back from the enquiry, and another top civil servant, sue grey, would complete the probe. it's incredibly hard to believe nobody in government knew these parties were happening, and there's a huge amount

of evidence now, so i do believe that the investigation sue grey is going to be leading up, there is evidence there, they need to carry that investigation out very swiftly to restore the public trust and then hand over that evidence to the police, because nobody�*s above the law. it's another damaging episode after a damaging few weeks for the government, from accusations of not taking sleaze seriously, to big rebellions in parliament, to this... cheering and applause. ..the remarkable result in north shropshire, where the liberal democrats overturned a 26,000 majority for the conservatives, and they think burst the prime minister's bubble in the process. that is always the signal sent by the public when they feel things have gone wrong. and the answer to that is very simple. it's not more of the same, it's the reality that if we want to get the vote back, then we have to be able to show that we deserve that support. the past few weeks have led to questions over borisjohnson�*s authority and his politicalfuture.

many conservatives think things need to change in here if he's going to steady the ship. nick eardley, bbc news.

another 90,000 covid cases are reported across the uk, as the mayor of london declares a major incident. sadiq khan says he's "incredibly concerned" by the city's infection levels and the major incident is "a statement of how serious things are". we are incredibly concerned by the huge surge in the 0micron variant. 0ver huge surge in the 0micron variant. over the last 2a hours, we have had the largest number of new cases since this pandemic began. shops hope for an increase in spending on the last weekend before christmas, despite falling footfall. british holiday—makers are forced to cancel trips as france imposes tight travel restrictions on those arriving from the uk. another england batting collapse as australia take control of

the second ashes test in adelaide. good afternoon. another 90,000 coronavirus cases have been reported over the past 2a hours. today, cabinet ministers have been briefed about the latest situation as the 0micron variant surges across the uk. the mayor of london warned he was incredibly concerned by the level of covid infection in the city, and has declared a major incident to help authorities cope with rising case numbers. it comes after ministers were advised england's hospital admissions could reach 3,000 a day without new measures being put in place. here's our health correspondent katharine da costa. there's no time to lose — jabs are now available 2a hours

a day at this vaccine centre in north london, as nhs staff and volunteers across the country strive to reach one millionjabs a day. in london, where the 0micron variant is driving a surge in infections, the mayor has announced a major incident. we are incredibly concerned by the huge surge in the 0micron variant. over the last 2a hours, we have had the largest number of new cases since this pandemic began. hospital admissions and staff absences are going up by a massive margin, so i have taken the decision to declare a major incident today. london will be able to seek further support from government to address the pressures facing the city.

experts say this is just the tip of the iceberg, the true number is likely to be significantly higher. there have been 85 people admitted to hospitals in england in total, and seven confirmed deaths. currently, around 800 patients with covid are being admitted each day in england, but minutes from scientists on the sage committee suggest without further stringent measures very soon, we could see a surge of 1000 to 2000 admissions a day by the end of the year and a possible peak of around 3000 a day, similar to levels injanuary. my of around 3000 a day, similar to levels in january._ of around 3000 a day, similar to levels in january. my view is that a short sharp _ levels in january. my view is that a short sharp two — levels in january. my view is that a short sharp two week _ levels in january. my view is that a short sharp two week break- levels in january. my view is that a short sharp two week break now . levels in january. my view is that a - short sharp two week break now would be extremely useful, and that means making _ be extremely useful, and that means making sure people are socially distancing, limiting contacts and going _ distancing, limiting contacts and going back to some of the restrictions we had earlier in the yeah _ restrictions we had earlier in the

ear. , ., ,., ., year. testing and isolating when infected are _ year. testing and isolating when infected are crucial— year. testing and isolating when infected are crucial to _ year. testing and isolating when infected are crucial to try - year. testing and isolating when infected are crucial to try to - year. testing and isolating when | infected are crucial to try to slow the spread of the virus will stop the spread of the virus will stop the royal mail is helping to ramp up deliveries of pcr and lateral flow kits took 900 day —— 900,000 a day, to make sure everyone who needs a test can get one. to make sure everyone who needs a test can get one-— test can get one. lateral flow devices are — test can get one. lateral flow devices are very _ test can get one. lateral flow devices are very effective - test can get one. lateral flow devices are very effective in l devices are very effective in picking up the 0micron variant as well as other variants, and it is the best way to make sure that they are free of the virus before visiting friends and family this christmas or going to large events. the government of westminster said current plan b measures in england are appropriate, but would go further as new data suggests that is needed to protect lives on the nhs. representatives from all uk nations are expected to gather for an emergency cobra meeting this weekend. let's take a look at the government's latest coronavirus figures for the uk. they show there were more than 90,000 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. these do not include figures for wales. the average over the past week

is now more than 73,000 new cases every day. the number of people in hospital with covid as of the 16th is more than 7,600. 125 deaths were recorded — that's of people who died within 28 days of a positive test. wales did not record any death figures today. 112 covid—related deaths were recorded on average every day in the past week. 0n vaccinations, nearly 650,000 people a day had boosters on average in the past seven days, bringing the total to more than 27.1 million. 0ur political correspondent damian grammaticas is here. what are we hearing about any possible changes to the current restrictions, if anything?- restrictions, if anything? well, what we know _ restrictions, if anything? well, what we know is _ restrictions, if anything? well, what we know is that - restrictions, if anything? well, what we know is that today, i restrictions, if anything? well, | what we know is that today, the cabinet were briefed on the numbers. it does not seem there was a discussion about new restrictions, but the latest i am hearing is that

at the moment, the position remains they want firmer data to see the effects of the measures now and boosters, but at the moment, remember things of move fast recently, and the scientific advice, plus what you're hearing from the mayor of increases the pressure to look at doing things quicker. set against that i think you would have to say is the political space for the prime minister, we have seen the scandals recently of downing street christmas parties, the investigation into that, the civil service stepped aside, opposition parties are saying they would all have somebody independent looking into it, the loss of the by—election, his own mps this week sent two strikes, one more and he is out, so very difficult things for the prime minister to weigh up. but what we hear is that they are looking to see more data coming in in the coming days, and consider things carefully.- consider things carefully. damian, thank ou consider things carefully. damian, thank you very _ consider things carefully. damian, thank you very much. _ retailers were hoping for a last minute surge of shoppers on the last weekend before christmas. however, figures released this afternoon suggest footfall

on the high streets is down almost 2% on last saturday amid fears of the 0micron variant. here's our business correspondent caroline davies. it's the weekend before christmas, the crescendo of present shopping. will what it's about on dampen buying? these chocolates are selling, but not necessarily in the shop. selling, but not necessarily in the sho -. selling, but not necessarily in the sho . _ ., ., ., selling, but not necessarily in the sho -. ., ., ., , selling, but not necessarily in the sho. ., , , shop. the footfall is massively down, shop. the footfall is massively down. and _ shop. the footfall is massively down, and online _ shop. the footfall is massively down, and online is _ shop. the footfall is massively down, and online is kind - shop. the footfall is massively down, and online is kind of. shop. the footfall is massively - down, and online is kind of covering that. which is expected in a way, really, but obviously that increases expenses, your postage, your boxing idol that kind of stuff, and also use the personal touch people, which for me is absolutely crucial for my business. , ~ , business. during the week the number of --eole business. during the week the number of people shopping _ business. during the week the number of people shopping in _ business. during the week the number of people shopping in city _ business. during the week the number of people shopping in city centres - of people shopping in city centres dropped off, but local high streets and shopping centres were slightly up, as more people work from home.

today, retailvisits up, as more people work from home. today, retail visits across the uk were down 1.8 from last saturday. in central london, a abstract might have made dallas to —— journeys that are more difficult, but many people were still happy to hit the shops. it is not busy at all today, no. we have come down because we have just had covid and we are safe, but i i would come down any other day. i am would come down any other day. i am not that wary — would come down any other day. i am not that wary of _ would come down any other day. i am not that wary of it. _ would come down any other day. i am not that wary of it. something to keep— not that wary of it. something to keep in— not that wary of it. something to keep in mind, but still doing the christmas — keep in mind, but still doing the christmas shopping, don't let it stop— christmas shopping, don't let it stop you — christmas shopping, don't let it sto ou. , ~ , ., wu, ., stop you. just keeping a mask on and usin: lots stop you. just keeping a mask on and using lots of— stop you. just keeping a mask on and using lots of hand _ stop you. just keeping a mask on and using lots of hand sanitiser. - stop you. just keeping a mask on and using lots of hand sanitiser. just - using lots of hand sanitiser. just keep yourself— using lots of hand sanitiser. just keep yourself safe, use common sense, _ keep yourself safe, use common sense, that's what people need to do. ., , , ., sense, that's what people need to do. ., , , ., do. there are plenty of people that are out and — do. there are plenty of people that are out and about _ do. there are plenty of people that are out and about shopping - do. there are plenty of people that are out and about shopping today, | are out and about shopping today, but retailers had penned such high hopes on this pre—christmas run that they are concerned that this might not be enough, and that could have ramifications well into the new year. there are worries that some businesses might not recover if the government does not step in. thea;r

government does not step in. they are now in — government does not step in. they are now in a _ government does not step in. they are now in a position _ government does not step in. tie: are now in a position where they have used up cash reserves, their costs are going up quite dramatically, because of the massive surge in inflation, and then suddenly in the time that should have been the time which would help them through into next year, their customers have just disappeared. them through into next year, their customers havejust disappeared. so we will see business failures if there isn't any support coming in now. ., . ., , there isn't any support coming in now. ., , ,, now. the chancellor rishi sunak s - oke now. the chancellor rishi sunak soke to now. the chancellor rishi sunak spoke to businesses _ now. the chancellor rishi sunak spoke to businesses and - now. the chancellor rishi sunak| spoke to businesses and industry leaders yesterday afternoon, but as can be expected to introduce new measures, and has instead directed businesses to existing loan and relief support schemes. for many in the retail and hospitality, the build—up to christmas is not looking likely great salvation they hoping for. caroline davies, bbc news. from today, france has banned all non—essential travel from the uk, because of concern over the surging 0micron variant. those who are allowed to travel will have to go into quarantine until they get a negative test result. it's thrown france's tourism industry into disarray during the christmas season. 0ur correspondent mark lowen is in the alpine resort of chamonix.

the powder snow here is deep, there are a few brits to share it with. after almost two years of the pandemic and lockdowns, they were hoping for a better season here, but once again, the restrictions have been tightened, and the ghost of christmas past are lurking. up the slopes of mount blanc, hope was peeking through. of a bumper christmas, it will from covid. but then france warned of a landslide, not on its own mountains but of 0micron in britain, all nonessential arrivals from the uk grain to a halt from today. travel plans now in disarray. from today. travel plans now in disarra . ~ �* ,, from today. travel plans now in disarra .~ �* ,, ., , disarray. we've missed a few people in different families _ disarray. we've missed a few people in different families who _ disarray. we've missed a few people in different families who are - in different families who are going to come _ in different families who are going to come over who probably are not going _ to come over who probably are not going to _ to come over who probably are not going to he — to come over who probably are not going to be able to it now, so it is honestly— going to be able to it now, so it is honestly hit — going to be able to it now, so it is honestly bit gutting for certain people. — honestly bit gutting for certain people, but we lucky, definitely. does _ people, but we lucky, definitely. does it— people, but we lucky, definitely. does it feel empty at the moment? a

bit, because normally it is really busy, _ bit, because normally it is really busy. because_ bit, because normally it is really busy, because loads _ bit, because normally it is really busy, because loads of- bit, because normally it is really busy, because loads of people l bit, because normally it is really. busy, because loads of people from england _ busy, because loads of people from england and — busy, because loads of people from england and other— busy, because loads of people from england and other countries - busy, because loads of people from england and other countries are - england and other countries are coming — england and other countries are coming in. _ england and other countries are coming in. but_ england and other countries are coming in, but doesn't - england and other countries are coming in, but doesn't feel- england and other countries are coming in, but doesn't feel that husy~ _ coming in, but doesn't feel that bus . ., ., , , busy. one in four tourists in chamonix — busy. one in four tourists in chamonix pre-pandemic - busy. one in four tourists in i chamonix pre-pandemic were busy. one in four tourists in - chamonix pre-pandemic were british, chamonix pre—pandemic were british, the largest foreign group in the french ski resort, and their absence is clear. with some of the best early season snow here in years, and with flights and ferries from the uk full, there was real optimism in the french results. but now, while the brits who made it here in time count their luck, businesses are counting their luck, businesses are counting their losses. this restaurant was hoping to quench the thirst of his british guests this christmas, a sizeable part of his customers. now he has let three employees go, and fears business will drop by a quarter. how does it feel without the brits? ., the brits? sad. sad and disappointed, _ the brits? sad. sad and disappointed, angry, i the brits? sad. sad and -

disappointed, angry, everything the brits? sad. sad and _ disappointed, angry, everything is ready. _ disappointed, angry, everything is ready. we — disappointed, angry, everything is ready, we have the masks, we have the pass, _ ready, we have the masks, we have the pass, everything is right, but it is very— the pass, everything is right, but it is very confusing for us. for those catering _ it is very confusing for us. for those catering for _ it is very confusing for us. fr?" those catering for the british market, the emptiness is devastating, and an ominous sign of what more could come. if devastating, and an ominous sign of what more could come.— what more could come. if this continues _ what more could come. if this continues this _ what more could come. if this continues this season, - what more could come. if this continues this season, you . what more could come. if this . continues this season, you know, it's going — continues this season, you know, it's going to — continues this season, you know, it's going to he _ continues this season, you know, it's going to he a _ continues this season, you know, it's going to be a big _ continues this season, you know, it's going to be a big loss- continues this season, you know, it's going to be a big loss of- it's going to be a big loss of earnings. _ it's going to be a big loss of earnings. it— it's going to be a big loss of earnings, it could _ it's going to be a big loss of earnings, it could be - it's going to be a big loss of earnings, it could be up - it's going to be a big loss of earnings, it could be up to. it's going to be a big loss of. earnings, it could be up to 50% it's going to be a big loss of- earnings, it could be up to 50% of my annual— earnings, it could be up to 50% of my annual earnings _ earnings, it could be up to 50% of my annual earnings is _ earnings, it could be up to 50% of my annual earnings is through - earnings, it could be up to 50% ofj my annual earnings is through the winter. _ my annual earnings is through the winter. and — my annual earnings is through the winter. and i_ my annual earnings is through the winter, and i guess— my annual earnings is through the winter, and i guess i— my annual earnings is through the winter, and i guess i am - my annual earnings is through the winter, and i guess i am worried i winter, and i guess i am worried that it _ winter, and i guess i am worried that it will— winter, and i guess i am worried that it will just — winter, and i guess i am worried that it willjust keep _ winter, and i guess i am worried that it willjust keep doing - winter, and i guess i am worried that it willjust keep doing this l that it willjust keep doing this every— that it willjust keep doing this every winter _ that it willjust keep doing this every winterand, _ that it willjust keep doing this every winter and, you - that it willjust keep doing this every winter and, you know, l that it willjust keep doing this . every winter and, you know, was that it willjust keep doing this - every winter and, you know, was and half of— every winter and, you know, was and half of my— every winter and, you know, was and half of my earnings _ every winter and, you know, was and half of my earnings every— every winter and, you know, was and half of my earnings every year, - every winter and, you know, was and half of my earnings every year, i- half of my earnings every year, i need _ half of my earnings every year, i need to— half of my earnings every year, i need to find _ half of my earnings every year, i need to find a _ half of my earnings every year, i need to find a different - half of my earnings every year, i. need to find a different profession. perhaps _ need to find a different profession. perhaps this — need to find a different profession. perhaps this is— need to find a different profession. perhaps this is just _ need to find a different profession. perhaps this is just a _ need to find a different profession. perhaps this is just a christmas - perhaps this is just a christmas blip, not a lost season. france is buying time, and paying a high price for its results to sparkle again. the netherlands is expected to announced a full lockdown from tomorrow to prevent a wave of new covid cases. the health minister

says the authorities are "extremely worried" about the 0micron variant. it's expected the hospitality sector will shut down and schools will close till mid—january. a woman arrested on suspicion of child neglect, as part of an investigation into the death of four children in a fire, has been bailed. firefighters had rescued two sets of twin boys from the house in sutton on thursday, but they all later died in hospital. the metropolitan police say the 27—year—old woman has been asked to return to a police station next month. england's cricketers are in danger of falling to another heavy defeat in the ashes. australia are in a strong position at the end of day three of the second test in adelaide, leading by 282 runs after another england batting collapse. the tourists started well, before stumbling to 236 all out. patrick gearey reports. don't look down. the view ahead of day three was that england were on a precipice, the match — perhaps

the series — n the edge. joe root came out dancing.