As cases of coronavirus continue to rise across the country, and tougher restrictions are introduced to limit the spread of the Omicron variant, the Prime Minister has been forced to change strategy and adopt ‘Plan B’, including encouraging everyone to work from home from Monday. Here’s everything we know about Plan B and what it will mean for shops and businesses.

       The Government has implemented their ‘Plan B’ strategy to reduce the risk of Covid transmission, Boris Johnson announced this evening.

       Businesses were given a week's notice by the Prime Minister before they are expected to implement all of the changes.

       However from Monday, all employees who are able to are encouraged to work from home.

       Face coverings will become mandatory in crowded indoor venues such as theatres and cinemas, whereas NHS COVID Passes will need to be presented for entering large venues like nightclubs.

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       The key actions of Plan A have been to:

       Despite these measures, the country is facing rising coronavirus cases and new cases of the Omicron variant.

       The Government has already started to introduce new rules to curb the rise of cases, including making face coverings mandatory on public transport and in shops again.

       In order to stop the spread of Omicron, the Government has introduced new restrictions on travel: adding 11 countries to the red list and making all travellers arriving to the UK show a negative coronavirus test.

       Back in September, a statement from Downing Street said: “As the PM also set out, autumn and winter could pose renewed challenges and it is difficult to predict the path of the virus with certainty.

       “So as the public would expect, there will be a range of ‘Plan B’ measures kept under review to help control transmission of the virus while minimising economic and social damage.”

       Downing Street lists the Plan B measures as:

       The Government has also said anyone who can work from home should do so from Monday.

       In his press conference, the Prime Minister urged everyone to get vaccinated and get booster jabs as soon as they are offered them.

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       The Government has already mandated customers must wear face coverings in shops, as long as they aren’t exempt such as for medical reasons.

       In the guidance for businesses laid out in the Plan B strategy, it says businesses should:

       When it comes to shops, if many employees are contacted by test and trace, or have to take time off sick, this could lead to staff shortages and therefore some closures.

       Many shops are offering hand sanitiser to customers upon arrival, and this may become an even more common sight.

       Customers may have to check in using the NHS COVID-19 app, or show proof of their vaccine or a negative Covid test, if shops adopt the NHS COVID Pass.