you can download the nhs covid pass on your phone, and it's going to be mandatory for all nightclubs and large events. this nightclub owner says it's another big blow for the industry. i've got to sort extra staff, put policies, procedures, logistical arrangements in place, and we really don't know what to expect when we open our doors next week. for the economy, things aren't nearly as bad as another lockdown, but one retail veteran says city centres are vulnerable if restrictions go on for too long. once we get beyond christmas, you're going to find that city centres go back to where they were right at the beginning of the covid problem, and so the infrastructure which supports the whole of the office life will not be there to support the people when they eventually go back to work. it's not the news business wanted for christmas. how this story ends depends on whether consumers will continue to go out and spend. emma simpson, bbc news, birmingham. the number of new 0micron cases in uk has almost doubled in a day — with 249 recorded in the past 2a hours. it means more than 800 ha

you can download the nhs covid pass on your phone and it's going to be mandatory for all nightclubs and large event. this nightclub owner says another big blow for the industry. owner says another big blow for the industry-— the industry. i've got to source _ the industry. i've got to source extra _ the industry. i've got to source extra stuff, - the industry. i've got to source extra stuff, putl source extra stuff, put policies, procedures, logistical arrangements in place and we really don't know what to expect when we open our doors next week. for what to expect when we open our doors next week.— doors next week. for the economy _ doors next week. for the economy things - doors next week. for the economy things aren't i doors next week. for the - economy things aren't nearly as bad as another lot down but one retail veteran says dissenters are vulnerable if restrictions go on for too long.— are vulnerable if restrictions go on for too long. once we get be ond go on for too long. once we get beyond christmas, _ go on for too long. once we get beyond christmas, you - go on for to

you can download the nhs covid pass on your phone. and it is going to be mandate to all nightclubs and large events. this nightclubs and large events. this nightclub owner says it is another big blow for the industry. i nightclub owner says it is another big blow for the industry.- big blow for the industry. i have had to bring _ big blow for the industry. i have had to bring in _ big blow for the industry. i have had to bring in extra _ big blow for the industry. i have had to bring in extra staff, - had to bring in extra staff, policies, procedures, logistical arrangements, and we really don't know what to expect when we open our doors next week. for know what to expect when we open our doors next week.— doors next week. for the economy, thins doors next week. for the economy, things aren't _ doors next week. for the economy, things aren't nearly _ doors next week. for the economy, things aren't nearly as _ doors next week. for the economy, things aren't nearly as bad - doors next week. for the economy, things aren't nearly as bad

and to get into nightclubs or other venues with large crowds, you'll need an nhs covid pass, also known as a vaccine passport, or a negative lateral flow test. the need for these new measures has been questioned by some conservative mps, who accuse the prime minster of wanting to divert attention from his own political troubles. in the commons today, borisjohnson apologised for a video that showed his staffjoking about a christmas party last december, during lockdown, but repeated his claim that no party had taken place. the number ten aide who appeared on that video, allegra stratton, resigned this afternoon. our political editor laura kuennsberg reports on the day's events, there's flash photography coming up. hemmed in, borisjohnson stuck with two ugly problems matched together. what happened under his own roof, which has taken some of the public, and what he reckons needs to happen now to push back the virus. the danger tonight is the fiasco of problem one makes problem two much harder to solve, with the variant spelling at lightning speed, he and the country's most senior scientist

there are fears that staff shortages may also hit the nhs as people are forced to isolate with covid. here's our health editor hugh pym. the nhs is braced for a wave of hospital cases in the weeks ahead. but they don't know how big that will be. what they do know is that covid is already taking its toll in the shape of higher staff absences. the nhs employers group told me that staff sickness is a particular problem in london. members have reported to us a really dramatic increase in levels of absence over this last ten days. three orfour times more people off sick now compared to ten days ago. the fear is that we see the same pattern of absence replicated across the country. even if omicron generates a surge in mainly mild infections, that will have an impact on the public sector and the wider economy, with some employees needing to isolate. that's another reason why ministers and health officials are pushing the message about boosterjabs, including front—page newspaper ads today. the uk has moved relatively quickly with the booster roll—out. israel is ahead, but they started soo

you can download the nhs covid pass on your phone. and it's going to be mandatory for all nightclubs and large events. this nightclub owner says it's another big blow for the industry. i've got to source extra staff, put policies, procedures, logistical arrangements in place, and we really don't know what to expect when we open our doors next week. for the economy, things aren't nearly as bad as another lockdown, but one retail veteran says city centres are vulnerable, if restrictions go on for too long. once we get beyond christmas, you're going to find that city centres go back to where they were right at the beginning of the covid problem, and so, the infrastructure which supports the whole of the office life will not be there to support the people when they eventually go back to work. it is not the news business wanted for christmas. how this story ends depends on whether consumers will continue to go out and spend. emma simpson, bbc news, birmingham. public health scotland has tonight urged people to call off their christmas parties due to the rising number of cases of the omicr

with the nhs understandably devoting so much time and resource to treating covid patients, there was an impact on other parts of the health service. waiting lists for non—urgent operations and procedures hit record levels. gail is struggling to walk and needs spinal surgery. she has two collapsed discs in her neck. she's been waiting for an operation for nearly a year, and she doesn't know when it might happen. if i had a date for my surgery, there's a light at the end of the tunnel. with no date, there's no light at the end of the tunnel. it isjust a long, dark tunnel of pain medication and sofa—sitting, and... that's my life. as the autumn progressed, daily cases continued to be high. older people and clinically—vulnerable groups began to be invited for a third vaccine, the booster. it means that i'm at less risk of infecting others and spreading the disease, so it's really important to me. the third dose is very important. the booster programme i is there for the people that need the third dose, and need immunity. in the coming season. so we've got no beds on trauma, no medi

third, we will make the nhs covid pass mandatory for entry into nightclubs and venues where large crowds gather. we will give businesses a week so this will come into force in a week's time. ros: the government faces criticism on all sides about the christmas party held by staff in downing street last year when such gatherings were banned. late last year, staff in downing street were filmed asking two questions -- >> what are you doing? >> having a christmas party. >> what's the answer? ros: covid was spiraling and boris johnson decided this. p.m. johnson: we cannot continue with christmas as planned. ros: by the 22nd, more than 10,000 covid deaths were recorded that month. also on the 22nd, a rehearsal was taking place. number 10 had a new press secretary and a new press briefing room. she was taking questions from colleagues playing the role of journalists. we know this because of a video. >> there was a downing street party on friday night. do you recognize this? >> i went home. hold on. >> what the prime minisr condone having a christmas party? >> what's the answer? ros: what the pri

with the nhs understandably devoting so much time and resource to treating covid patients, there was an impact on other parts of the health service. waiting lists for non—urgent operations and procedures hit record levels. gail is struggling to walk a needs spinal surgery. she has two collapsed discs in her neck. she's been waiting for an operation for nearly a year, and she doesn't know when it might happen. if i had a date for my surgery, there's a light at the end of the tunnel. with no date, there's no light at the end of the tunnel. it isjust a long, dark tunnel of pain medication and sofa—sitting, and... that's my life. as the autumn progressed, daily cases continued to be high. older people and clinically—vulnerable groups began to be invited for a third vaccine — the booster. it means that i'm at less risk of infecting others and spreading the disease, so it's really important to me. the third dose is very important. the booster programme i is there for the people that need the third dose, and need immunity. in the coming season. so we've got no beds on trauma, no med

the i newspaper has the headline, deleted: usage of nhs covid contact tracing app has fallen sharply since the pingdemic, as omicron covid cases rise in the uk. the daily telegraph pictures six—year—old arthur labijo—hughes, who was starved, tortured and neglected by his step—mother and his father, before dying of a head injury lastjune. the financial times reports that parliament's spending watchdog has said attempts to recover fraudulent covid loans for small business have been inadequate. so, let's begin. the metro saying how may passengers have been fined and removed from those who travel on public transport are not wearing masks still? it is are not wearing masks still? it is been mandatory _ are not wearing masks still? it is been mandatory to _ are not wearing masks still? it 3 been mandatory to wear a mask are not wearing masks still? it 1 been mandatory to wear a mask on their network for a long time now. it was not removed as a requirement in the summeras it was not removed as a requirement in the summer as it was as a national requirement but the enforcement was ne

an nhs covid pass will be needed to get into nightclubs and large venues. a negative lateral flow test will also be accepted. and daily testing will replace self—isolation for people who come into contact with someone infected. the government says the measures are necessary. we estimated that it spreads, what's called the doubling rate, is between two and a half to three days, which means the number of community infections are doubling in that time. and what that means is that if it carries on at that rate, you could have1 million infections through community transmission, by end of the month. right from the start, despite the fact that people are tired and despite the fact that people are having a hard time and suffering, genuinely suffering, psychologically and economically and with their health, still, by and large, the levels of adherence are very high indeed. we live in scotland, so we've been used to them for a while. - so anything that keeps us safe has got to be good for the country. - i think if you can work from home to protect everyone else, wh

with the nhs understandably devoting so much time and resource to treating covid patients, there was an impact on other parts of the health service. waiting lists for non—urgent operations and procedures hit record levels. gail is struggling to walk and needs spinal surgery. she has two collapsed discs in her neck. she's been waiting for an operation for nearly a year, and she doesn't know when it might happen. if i had a date for my surgery, there's a light at the end of the tunnel. with no date, there's no light at the end of the tunnel. it isjust a long, dark tunnel of pain medication and sofa—sitting, and... ..that�*s my life. as the autumn progressed, daily cases continued to be high. older people and clinically—vulnerable groups began to be invited for a third vaccine, the booster. it means that i'm at less risk of infecting others and spreading the disease, so it's really important to me. the third dose is very important. the booster programme i is there for the people that need the third dose - and need the immunity in the coming season. so, we've got no beds on traum

so from today, nhs covid pastors showing a recent negative test awful vaccination be shown to get into many larger venues, be shown to get into many largervenues, including nightclubs. —— covid passes. this was the measure that both —— most angered conservative rebels. forthem, it was —— most angered conservative rebels. for them, it was a step too far, and they wanted to send borisjohnson a message. this was a bridge too far, vaccine passports today, what tomorrow or a week down the road? so i think they were putting a market down. and it has been proven in scotland vaccine passports don't work, they don't prevent infection. so i think it was a cry of pain from the conservative party. ministers warned mps detract from 0micron variant �*s grave. they have predicted a surge in hospitalisations in the coming weeks, which is why these new protections have been put in place. {iii protections have been put in lace. u, , protections have been put in lace, . ., , , place. of course it is difficult. _ place. of course it is difficult. every - place. of course it is i difficult. e

and the nhs covid pass will now be mandatory for nightclubs and other venues with large crowds. but the anger over the party last year and the apparent mocking of it by some government advisers has led many mps to question the prime ministers credibility. laura kuenssberg reports. hemmed in, borisjohnson stuck with two ugly problems that are mashed together. what happened under his own roof which has sickened some of the public and what he reckons needs to happen now to push back the virus. the danger tonight is the fiasco of problem one which makes problem two much harder to solve. with the variant spreading at lightning speed, he and the country's most senior scientists were back on the platform. we cannot yet assume that omicron is less severe than previous variants. so, while the picture may get better and i sincerely hope that it will, we know that the remorseless logic of exponential growth could lead to a big rise in hospitalisations and therefore, sadly, in deaths. and that is why it's the proportionate and the responsible thing to move to plan b in england. how can you

and the nhs covid pass will now be mandatory for nightclubs and other venues with large crowds. but the anger over the alleged christmas party last year — and the video of government advisers apparently mocking the restrictions — has led many mps to question the prime minister's credibility. laura kuenssberg reports. hemmed in, borisjohnson stuck with two ugly problems that are mashed together. what happened under his own roof, which has sickened some of the public, and what he reckons needs to happen now to push back the virus. the danger tonight is the fiasco of problem one, which makes problem two much harder to solve. with the variant spreading at lightning speed, he and the country's most senior scientists were back on the platform. we can't yet assume that omicron is less severe than previous variants. so, while the picture may get better and i sincerely hope that it will, we know that the remorseless logic of exponential growth could lead to a big rise in hospitalisations and, therefore, sadly, in deaths. and that's why it's now the proportionate and the responsible t

proof can be in the form of an nhs covid pass, or a text or emailfrom nhs test and trace. entry to indoor unseated venues with more than 500 people, outdoor unseated venues with more than 4,000 people, or any venue with more than 10,000 people will also require proof of vaccination or a negative test. with more on this, here's andrew plant in bristol. proof of vaccinations or negative tests now needed all across england today. football fans at the emirates tonight some of the first to be affected. got my covid pass, i've got the lateral flow negative test. we had an e—mail from the venue to say get here early, about half six, but we just thought, actually, it could take a long time to check everyone. i'm quite old and i want to know that i'm safe in there, _ so i've got my covid passport here, all ready to show. _ so you just click on that, click "domestic." preparing their covid passes over a pint this evening... and all you do, it'sjust two clicks on the app. easy. easy as. ..these friends getting ready to head to a nightclub later. i think it is a good idea. i mean, i

and the nhs covid pass will now be mandatory for nightclubs and other venues with large crowds. but the anger over the alleged christmas party last year and the video of government advisers apparently mocking the restrictions has led many mps to question the prime minister's credibility. laura kuenssberg reports. hemmed in, borisjohnson stuck with two ugly problems that are mashed together. what happened under his own roof, which has sickened some of the public, and what he reckons needs to happen now to push back the virus. the danger tonight is the fiasco of problem one, which makes problem two much harder to solve. with the variant spreading at lightning speed, he and the country's most senior scientists were back on the platform. we can't yet assume that omicron is less severe than previous variants. so, while the picture may get better and i sincerely hope that it will, we know that the remorseless logic of exponential growth could lead to a big rise in hospitalisations and, therefore, sadly, in deaths. and that is why it's now the proportionate and the responsible thing to

the nhs covid pass will be mandatory for entry into indoor crowded places that rule will be extended to large outdoor sporting events. a negative lateral flow test will be allowed. meanwhile the coronavirus booster vaccine campaign is expanded now anyone over a0 in england can now book theirjab. the premise has asked for an investigation after a video emerged of his team laughing about at downing street christmas party. i can understand how infuriating it must be to think that the people who have been setting the rules have not been following the rules mr speaker as i was also furious to see that clip. millions of people now think the prime minister was taking them for fools, and that they were lied to, they're right, aren't they? his fictional party was a business meeting — his fictional party was a business meeting and _ his fictional party was a business meeting and it _ his fictional party was a business meeting. and it was _ his fictional party was a business meeting. and it was not - his fictional party was a business meeting. and it was not sociallyl meeting. and it was not

and the nhs covid pass will now be mandatory for nightclubs and other venues with large crowds. but the anger over the alleged christmas party last year, and the video of government advisers apparently mocking the restrictions, has led many mps to question the prime minister's credibility. laura kuenssberg reports. hemmed in, borisjohnson stuck with two ugly problems that are mashed together. what happened under his own roof which has sickened some of the public and what he reckons needs to happen now to push back the virus. the danger tonight is the fiasco of problem one which makes problem two much harder to solve. with the variant spreading at lightning speed, he and the country's most senior scientists were back on the platform. we cannot yet assume that omicron is less severe than previous variants. so, while the picture may get better and i sincerely hope that it will, we know that the remorseless logic of exponential growth could lead to a big rise in hospitalisations and therefore, sadly, in deaths. and that is why it's the proportionate and the responsible thing to move

and the nhs covid pass, also known as a vaccine passport, will become mandatory for nightclubs or other venues with large crowds. the advice in england to work from home again, after it was lifted in the summer, will have a major impact on businesses and employees, with employers�* groups calling on the government forfinancial support. our business editor simonjack reports. christmas is supposed to add a little fizz to the economy but today�*s announcement felt a little flat for some workers in manchester. i think it�*s better for us to be in the workplace with our colleagues supporting each other, working from home is really isolating, so for me it is just not an option. while others felt better prepared this time around. when we did the first lockdown, when we had to work from home, we didn�*t know what we were up against, but i feel like we are in a better place now, and we are better equipped to deal with it. so i feel like it�*s a bit of an overreaction, if i�*m honest. but are business has prepared for another setback? in our big cities, commuters and office workers ar

people will need an nhs covid pass or negative lateral flow test to enter. the night time industries association said it comes at the worst possible time, with the pre—christmas period "absolutely crucial" for the sector and will have a "devastating impact". joining me now is michael kill, ceo of ntia, trade body of nightclubs, bars, music and entertainment venues representing 1,200 venues. many thanks for joining many thanks forjoining me here on the programme this morning. what will the introduction of covid passes mean for the industry? why do you oppose them? well, it�*s hugely challenging. as you can appreciate, the time of year is crucial for businesses to build up cash reserves so they can survive the early part of next year. but our experiences in both scotland and wales suggest that we see a two 25— 30% down in trade and the points of introduction. so on top of the narrative from government around not socialising that came out from public health england and several mps or ministers we are now face, on top of cancellations and rising costs, wit

it's winter exacerbated by covid, and the fact the nhs - covid? it's winter exacerbated by covid, and the fact the nhs has i covid? it's winter exacerbated by - covid, and the fact the nhs has been underfunded and under resourced for many years now, we know in the last decade we've lost about 13,000 beds nationally, we estimate there's about 50,000 doctors shortages, and at least 100,000 vacancies across the whole nhs. 0n at least 100,000 vacancies across the whole nhs. on top of that, winter is always a busy period for us — we know that generally all the respiratory viruses cause an increase in attendance is, people are generally more likely to become unwell overwinter. at the moment, we are also dealing with a significant backlog of care. so because of the covid pandemic, our waiting list for elective surgeries and things has risen exponentially. we've got nearly 6 million people on our waiting lists now, and of course, those people are prone to getting symptoms and feeling unwell because they haven't had the care they needed. so at the moment

and the nhs covid pass will now be mandatory for nightclubs and other venues with large crowds. some mps though have questioned borisjohnson�*s credibility to announce these measures after claims his own staff broke covid restrictions last christmas. laura kuenssberg reports. borisjohnson stuck boris johnson stuck with two problems together. sick and some of the public and what he reckons needs to happen now to push back the virus. the danger to notice the fiasco of problem one which makes problem too much harder to solve. the variance spreading at lightning speed, in the countries most senior scientists were back on the platform. scientists were back on the platform-— scientists were back on the latform.~ ., , scientists were back on the latform. ~ ., , ., platform. we cannot yet assume that omicron is less _ platform. we cannot yet assume that omicron is less severe _ platform. we cannot yet assume that omicron is less severe than _ platform. we cannot yet assume that omicron is less severe than previousl omicron is less severe than previous variance. so, while the picture

new figures show that covid—related absences in acute nhs trusts in england went up by more than a0 % during christmas week. in his new year's message, borisjohnson has urged people in the uk to take a covid test before celebrating tonight. and the party is already under way in new zealand — this is the scene in auckland as it sees in the new year. in other news — firefighters are battling one of the most destructive ever wildfires in the us state of colorado — more than 30,000 people have been forced to evacuate. the ymca has been offering shelter to families left homeless. it is hundreds and hundreds of people that have come through and that number is now about 600 homes destroyed in this area. "relieved and grateful" — the victims of ghislaine maxwell have been speaking after she was convicted of grooming girls to be abused byjeffery epstein — her family say they can't accept the verdict. joe biden has again told president vladimir putin that the us and its allies will respond decisively if russia does not de—escalate tensions on his country's border with ukraine. and a

covid—19jabs for nhs things like facemasks and compulsory covid—19 jabs for nhs workers they did not— covid—19 jabs for nhs workers they did not agree with covid passports and i_ did not agree with covid passports and i made it very clear. and did not agree with covid passports and i made it very clear.— and i made it very clear. and it feels a bit _ and i made it very clear. and it feels a bit light _ and i made it very clear. and it feels a bit light with _ and i made it very clear. and it feels a bit light with a - and i made it very clear. and it feels a bit light with a story - and i made it very clear. and it | feels a bit light with a story that this is now the line in the sand and if he dares to cross it, he is very lucky to face the full wrath of his party. lucky to face the full wrath of his .a . ,, ., , lucky to face the full wrath of his party-- john- _ lucky to face the full wrath of his party--john- was- lucky to face the full wrath of his party.- john. was not - lucky to face the full wrath of his j party.- john. was not quite party. sorry. john. was not quite cl

an nhs covid pass will be needed to get into nightclubs and large venues. a negative lateral flow test will also be accepted. and daily testing will replace self—isolation for people who come into contact with someone infected. mrjavid said the rules would help to address the spreading 0micron variant, which poses a "credible risk" to the nhs. helen catt reports. it's the 0micron variant of coronavirus and the speed at which it is spreading that ministers say has left them with little choice but to move england to plan b. we estimated _ to move england to plan b. - estimated that it spreads, the doubling rate is between 2.5 and three days which means the number of community infections doubling in that time and what that means is if it carried on at that rate you could have a million infections through community transmission by the end of the month. but community transmission by the end of the month. �* ., , ., ~ , the month. but some conservative mps don't think it — the month. but some conservative mps don't think it is — the month. but some conser

the nhs covid pass can still be obtained with two— nhs covid pass can still be obtained with two doses but we will keep this under— with two doses but we will keep this under review as the boosters roll out. having taken clinical advice since _ out. having taken clinical advice since the — out. having taken clinical advice since the emergence of omicron, a negative _ since the emergence of omicron, a negative lateral flow test will also be sufficient. as we set out in plan b, be sufficient. as we set out in plan b. we _ be sufficient. as we set out in plan b. we will— be sufficient. as we set out in plan b, we will give businesses a week's notice, _ b, we will give businesses a week's notice. so _ b, we will give businesses a week's notice, so this will come into force in a week's— notice, so this will come into force in a week's time, helping to keep these _ in a week's time, helping to keep these events and venues open at full capacity— these events and venues open at full capacity while giving everyone who attends _ capacity while giving everyone who attends them confidenc

later, the type of action we set out working from home, the rules on the face masks, the use of the nhs covid passport, we can avoid further action later because this does buy us time. >> reporter: this morning the prime minister said at least one person has already died of the omicron variant, and the infection rate is doubling every two hi susan! honey? yeah? i respect that. but that cough looks pretty bad... try this robitussin honey. the real honey you love... plus the powerful cough relief you need. mind if i root through your trash? now get powerful relief with robitussin elderberry. ordinary tissues burn when theo blows. so puffs plus lotion rescued his nose. with up to 50% more lotion, puffs bring soothing relief. a nose in need deserves puffs indeed. america's #1 lotion tissue. >>> the devastating tornadoes that ripped through the heart of the nation hit hardest in kentucky. president biden has declared the state a major federal disaster area and plans to visit the region in the coming days. there is no word if first lady jill biden will be at his side, being there for the amer

nhs covid vaccination clinics will remain open tomorrow and throughout the holiday weekend in england, as people are continuing to be urged to getjabbed. 200,000 first, second or booster appointments can still be booked over the festive period. health service staff and volunteers will be giving vaccinations at scores of clinics, including town halls and pharmacies. record numbers of rapid lateral flow tests are being sent to people's homes every day but the uk health security agency acknowledges there are issues with deliveries to some pharmacies. in his christmas message, boris johnson describes the jab as a "wonderful gift" that people can give to keep theirfamilies safe. the uk set another daily covid record yesterday with nearly 120,000 confirmed cases. here's our political correspondent, helen catt. the prime minister has said for a while that he believes this christmas would be better than last, and he said he won't flip the switch on any new restrictions in england before tomorrow. he's used his annual christmas message to urge us to take extra caution, though, and suggested ge

to prove that, you can show an nhs covid pass or a text or emailfrom nhs test and trace. you'll need that now to go to indoor unseated venues with more than 500 people, so nightclubs, for example, outdoor unseated venues with more than 4,000 people, or any venue with more than 10,000 people. our correspondent andrew plant reports from bristol. hi, guys, you got your covid passes? proof of vaccinations or negative tests. , ., proof of vaccinations or negative tests. , . ., ~ proof of vaccinations or negative tests. , . ., ,, , ., proof of vaccinations or negative tests. , ., ., ~' , ., , , tests. great, thank you, guys. suddenly _ tests. great, thank you, guys. suddenly needed _ tests. great, thank you, guys. suddenly needed all— tests. great, thank you, guys. suddenly needed all across i tests. great, thank you, guys. - suddenly needed all across england today. thousands attending football matches will find themselves affected. this club asking fans to arrive an hour early. if} affected. this club asking fans to arrive an hour early.— affected. this club asking fans t

the nhs warns of significant pressure in the coming weeks, as covid infections in the uk reach a new high. the staff that are at work will be caring for more patients, trying to do more to cover for their missing colleagues, working extra hours, starting early and finishing late. the pressure will be immense. and mourners in south africa have been paying their respects to the late archbishop desmond tutu. hello and welcome. new year celebrations have begun across the world. this is the how hong kong rang it in. for, three, two, one. happy new year. so it's now 2022 in much of asia, while people in africa and europe are just a few hours away from seeing the new year arrive too. however, in many places the celebrations will be somewhat muted as governments try to discourage crowds coming together to celebrate 2022, in order to counter the spread of covid—19. in london, the mayor, sadiq khan, has urged people to stay home, or to exercise caution if they do head out tonight. it's really important, if you've not got a lateral flow test at home and you're not vaccinated, you think very,

the pressures facing the nhs go way beyond covid. they are boosting hundreds of thousands of people every day, delivering urgent care and now preparing for the potential impact of high covid numbers in the coming weeks. even though early studies suggest omicron may cause mild symptoms, the pressure's hospital phrase this winter will be a mix of its severity and also how many people are infected. a survey by the office for national statistics suggests over 1.3 million people in the uk would have tested positive in the week ending december the 16th. the highest level since the survey started. whilst it has a timeline, it tests people regardless of whether they have symptoms or not. epidemiologists are warning that the speed omicron is spreading out could lead to hospitalisations which could lead to hospitalisations which could lead to hospitalisations which could lead to real issues for the health service. . ~ lead to real issues for the health service. ., ~ , ., and the bbc has launched an nhs tracker so you can find out how your loca

to prove that, you can show an nhs covid pass or a text or email from nhs test and trace. you�*ll need that now to go to indoor unseated venues with more than 500 people, outdoor unseated venues with more than 4,000 people or any venue with more than 10,000 people. our correspondent andrew plant reports from bristol. hi, guys, you got your covid passes? proof of vaccinations or negative tests. great, thank you, guys. suddenly needed all across england today. thousands attending football matches will find themselves affected. this club asking fans to arrive an hour early. 50 extra staff coming in on saturday, hopefully won�*t be too long... the extra time and extra costs, they say, a small price to pay to keep fans a safe and stay open. we have all been through the lockdowns, the 18 months of pain and the impact on employment and on the economy, so the alternative, let�*s prove to the government we can do this and do this safely, and we can speak venues, stadia, hospitality moving. any venue with over 10,000 people, and every nightclub, will need to make checks, eithe

an nhs covid pass will be needed to get into nightclubs and large venues. a negative lateral flow test will also be accepted. and daily testing will replace self—isolation for people who come into contact with someone infected. mrjavid said the rules would help to address the spreading 0micron variant, which poses a "credible risk" to the nhs. helen catt reports. it's the 0micron variant of coronavirus and the speed at which it is spreading that ministers say has left them with little choice but to move england to plan b. we estimated that it spreads, the doubling rate is between 2.5 and three days which means the number of community infections are doubling in that time and what that means is that if it carried on at that rate, you could have1 million infections through community transmission by the end of the month. but some conservative mps don't think it is justified. amongst many of my constituents, there is a sense of exasperation and exhaustion with the new covid rules and a real fear that we are now back on the conveyor belt to more restrictions, s

the difference and this is a really important difference is that the rest of the nhs, non—covid—19 care is incredibly busy at the moment in a way that it wasn't last january and that last january spike a way that it wasn't last january and that lastjanuary spike came and went and it was very hard for the nhs and it came and went very quickly and now we've got months upon months of pressure and the combination of the fact that we are trying to deliver the booster vaccinations at the same time. we've got a social care system that has definite scene a —— definitely seen a increase. we are trying to do all of those surgery operations to clear backlog. wherever you look, the nhs is under huge pressure but we will and what happens is when we come under huge pressure, inevitably we need to prioritise on the basis of clinical need but let's just not forget the nhs is incredibly resilient thanks to the efforts of our front line staff and yet again they are performing absolute heroic at the moment.— they are performing absolute heroic at the moment. the labour leader, sir keir starmer, has

the nhs warns of significant pressure in the coming weeks as covid infections in the uk reach a new high. the staff that are at work will be caring for more patients, trying to do more to cover for their missing colleagues, working extra hours, starting early, finishing late. the pressure will be immense. and goodbye to a golden girl. the american actress and comedian betty white has died, just weeks before her 100th birthday. let's take you to those live pictures in moscow. where the fireworks are under way to mark the beginning of the new year, but no one in the square watching. the square closed off to try to disclose the spread of coronavirus. this display coming as the russian president vladimir putin has released his new year's eve address, saying that he thinks russians for their resilience during tough times —— thanks. saying this has engulfed all continents and does not yet go away. but he said more importantly, they overcame all the difficulties of the outgoing year together. and supportive people from older generations. so, president putin thinking russians for their resil

nhs bosses tell hospitals there is a warning that covid—i9 admissions art to keep rising for the next ten days, lucy. yes, it is certainly an ominous warning — yes, it is certainly an ominous warning from the nhs to health chiefs— warning from the nhs to health chiefs and we know that the latest figures _ chiefs and we know that the latest figures show that more than 2000 people _ figures show that more than 2000 people were admitted to hospital on december the 28th and that's the highest _ december the 28th and that's the highest rate since february this year— highest rate since february this year and — highest rate since february this year and at the moment there are around _ year and at the moment there are around 11,000 patients in hospital with covid—i9 in the big concern is that new— with covid—i9 in the big concern is that new year's eve celebrations of people _ that new year's eve celebrations of people getting together and mingling could allow the title of omicron variant — could allow the title of omicron variant to — could allow the title of omicron varian

the main way to do this is to generate a covid pass using the nhs app. scotland, wales and northern ireland are already using this system — via the nhs website or the nhs app. our correspondent, john maguire, has been to a nightclub to see how the new rules are being received. the christmas party season should be in full swing. but, in recent days, this pub in bristol has seen almost 80% of its bookings cancelled. constantly being stabbed in the back all the time basically by all these new rules and regulations. this few weeks, with our corporate bookings, that gets money in the pot and sees us through january and february and without that we are really going to struggle in the next few months. the late—night economy has been among the hardest hit during the pandemic with nightclubs some of the last businesses to reopen after lockdown. similar to long—established rules in the rest of the uk, nightclubs and large venues in england now require proof of full vaccination or a negative test. ijust think it makes everyone feel a little bit safer when the

the number of nhs staff off work in england, because of covid, went up by more than a0%. the latest official survey also suggests more than 2 million people tested positive for covid, in the run—up to christmas, adding to the nhs problems. the staff that are at work will be caring for more patients, trying to do more to cover for their missing colleagues, working extra hours, starting early, finishing late. the pressure will be immense. also today in south africa, final respects are paid to archbishop desmond tutu, whose state funeral takes place tomorrow. and the new year has already arrived on the other side of the globe, with some countries carrying on with their parties despite concerns about the pandemic. good evening. the pressure on the nhs has been brought into sharp focus by the latest official figures on staff absences related to covid. those absences in acute nhs trusts in england increased up by more than 40% during christmas week. an average of more than 25,000 health workers were off sick or isolating every day. the rapid spread of the 0micron variant is u

and the nhs covid pass will now be mandatory for nightclubs and other venues with large crowds. remorseless logic of exponential growth could lead to a big rise in hospitalisations and therefore, sadly, and deaths. in hospitalisations and therefore, sadly, in deaths. and that's why it's now the proportionate and the responsible thing to move to plan b in england while continuing to work closely with our colleagues in the devolved administrations so we slow the spread of the virus, buy ourselves the time to get yet more boosters into arms and especially into the older and more vulnerable people, and understand the answers to the key outstanding questions about omicron. the prime minister said we cant yet assume that the omicron is less severe than other variants. in fact professor chris whitty, the chief medical officer, released data tonight that shows in england the number of omicron cases is rising exponentially. as you can see, whether you look at the absolute count or the percentage, this is going up incredibly fast now. and as the prime minister has said, this is doubling a

an nhs covid pass will be needed to get into nightclubs and large venues. a negative lateral flow test will also be accepted. and daily testing will replace self—isolation for people who come into contact with someone infected. mrjavid said the rules would help to address the spreading 0micron variant, which poses a "credible risk" to the nhs. helen catt reports. it's the 0micron variant of coronavirus and the speed at which it is spreading that ministers say has left them with little choice but to move england to plan b. we estimated that it spreads — what's called the doubling rate is between two—and—a—half to three days, which means the number of community infections are doubling in that time and what that means is that if it carried on at that rate, you could have1 million infections through community transmission by the end of the month. but some conservative mps don't think it's justified. amongst many of my constituents, there's a sense of exasperation and exhaustion with the imposition of new covid rules and a real fear that we're now back

covid _ the face mask, the use of the nhs covid passport, we can avoid further action— covid passport, we can avoid further action tater — covid passport, we can avoid further action later because it buys us time to build _ action later because it buys us time to build defences and our best defence — to build defences and our best defence still remains our vaccination programme, particularly the boosters. so some of the data we are looking _ the boosters. so some of the data we are looking for is more exact data on the _ are looking for is more exact data on the impact of boosters, but there is every— on the impact of boosters, but there is every reason to believe that the boosters _ is every reason to believe that the boosters will give you a really high level of— boosters will give you a really high level of defence, especially against a serious _ level of defence, especially against a serious illness from the new variant. — a serious illness from the new variant, but the time we have bought will allow— variant, but the time we have bought will allow us — variant, but

the main way to do this is to generate a covid pass using the nhs app. scotland, wales and northern ireland are already using this system — via the nhs website or the nhs app. our correspondent, john maguire, has been to a nightclub to see how the new rules are being received. the christmas party season should be in full swing. but, in recent days, this pub in bristol has seen almost 80% of its bookings cancelled. constantly being stabbed in the back all the time basically by all these new rules and regulations. this few weeks, with our corporate bookings, that gets money in the pot and sees us through january and february and without that we are really going to struggle in the next few months. the late—night economy has been among the hardest hit during the pandemic, with nightclubs some of the last businesses to reopen after lockdown. similar to long—established rules in the rest of the uk, nightclubs and large venues in england now require proof of full vaccination or a negative test. ijust think it makes everyone feel a little bit safer when th

nhs wales said... but angela rayner remains concerned. it's devastating for health care workers on the front line. they have got us through the most difficult times of the pandemic, put their own lives at risk. and, you know, i was a care worker myself and i know how devastated you feel if you even went in with a cough and cold and you thought that you gave it to someone. so i know care workers were very diligent in wanting to keep people safe. not only that, they now had dodgy ppe that left workers without the protective equipment that they deserved and needed which, again, could have put lives at risk. well, that's pretty alarming, isn't it? i mean, we wear ppe because we want it to protect us from getting covid. of course, if you're a doctor or a nurse on the front line, you're at particular risk if you're dealing with covid patients. and what you're telling me suggests to me that they weren't getting proper ppe. they weren't getting stuff that was, erm, able to protect them from covid. they thought they were, but they weren't. last ye

last year, we were told to stay at home to protect the nhs and front—line workers. but government had its part to play. our investigation raises serious questions about how it performed in that frenzied rush to provide ppe. questions about how public money was spent, and about the risk to those who were putting their lives on the line. hello. it is, of course, the winter solstice today, and from here on, the days lengthen, at long last. just a shame there's so much cloud to add to the gloom today out there at the moment. there have been some breaks in the north, a few in the west, and much more clearer skies now edging in from the south. that process will continue through the rest of the day and into the evening. but wherever you are, cloud or sunshine through the afternoon into this evening, it's going to be quite cold, temperatures dropping below freezing for one or two, even by the time we hit six o'clock. and those temperatures are going to drop further. maybe not as cold as last night in parts of scotland, where we saw the coldest night of the winter so far, â€

last year, we were told to stay at home to protect the nhs and front—line workers. but government had its part to play. our investigation raises serious questions about how it performed in that frenzied rush to provide ppe. questions about how public money was spent, and about the risk to those who were putting their lives on the line. good afternoon. wow, what a difference a day makes. we started off today mild, but quite murky out there, with outbreaks of rain. now, these weather fronts were pushing their way steadily northwards through the night. behind it introduced this milder air with this southerly flow, and that mild air is going to gradually displace the cold air across much of england and wales. the exception, it will always sit across the far north of scotland. and that means there is a potential as we go through the day—to—day of seeing a little bit of snow, as you can see on the tops of the mountains. behind it, we will see some heavier rain later today come into northern ireland, north—west england and the scottish borders. to the south of that,

the nhs warns of significant pressure in the coming weeks, as covid infections in the uk reach a new high. entire neighbourhoods in the us state of colorado have been engulfed by flames as wildfires force tens of thousands to leave their homes. and goodbye to a golden girl — the american actress and comedian, betty white, has died, just weeks before her one hundreth birthday. now on bbc news. nine—year—old rodwell nkomazana was attacked by a hyena earlier this year. he suffered life—threatening injuries. now, a team of volunteer doctors in south africa is battling to help rodwell by rebuilding his face. our world follows their groundbreaking work and rodwell�*s remarkable recovery. rodwell nkomazana was asleep outside church, in rural zimbabwe, when he was attacked by a hyena. against the odds, he survived. immediately, when i arrived, they exposed these wounds, and here was a young man with, i mean literally, no face. he is now headed to south africa for life—changing surgery. when i saw the first photographs of how horrendous the injury was, i decided that i would do wh