On the flip side, Israel has said that early research suggests two to three doses of a Covid vaccine are effective against the new omicron variant.

Nitzan Horowitz, the country’s health minister, said that there was “room for optimism” that current vaccines worked on omicron based on “initial indications.” 

Yet this has not deterred Scotland’s national clinical director from suggesting that Scottish families should adopt an informal version of the SNP Government’s vaccine passport scheme to decide who can attend Christmas dinner.

Our coronavirus live tracker allows you to search worldwide data on cases, vaccinations and deaths by country.

Team Boris v Team Jenny

Parliament debated and voted on the latest set of Covid restrictions on Tuesday, but only after they had come into force.

The country now faces at least three weeks of masks in shops and on buses and new self-isolation requirements that could go on for months.

Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of Tory MPs, warns that with each new set of restrictions, Britain moves further away from its traditions of liberty. 

In our Write to Reply series, Sherelle Jacobs responds to readers’ concerns about the omicron measures, suggesting the Prime Minister is failing to tame the Blob. 

Yet amid the debate about whether greater restrictions are right or wrong, Judith Woods reveals how it has created a split in her household between Team Boris and Team Jenny.

Borders tighten

Problems are also afoot for anyone who has made plans to travel for their first living-with-Covid Christmas. 

All travellers to the US may be required to complete a seven-day quarantine even if they are vaccinated or have a negative test, under proposals being considered by the White House. 

Meanwhile, everyone reaching France from outside the EU, including the UK, will have to present a negative Covid test less than 48 hours old, the government announced today. 

Non-vaccinated travellers from within the EU will have to show a negative test less than 24 hours old. 

In Britain, leaked minutes have revealed that Sage scientists are advising the Government to introduce day eight PCR testing for all arrivals to the UK to counter the omicron variant. 

Here is a reminder of how omicron symptoms differ and what protection vaccines offer.

Comment and analysis

Around the world: Lukashenko’s nuclear ‘warning’

Russia’s foreign policy chief today described a surprise offer by the Belarusian dictator to host nuclear weapons as a “warning” to the West triggered by Nato’s hostile moves. Alexander Lukashenko has voiced concern about Nato’s increased activities near his country’s borders as the EU is scrambling to react to Europe’s latest migrant crisis that many in the West say was orchestrated by the Belarusian regime. “I will suggest that Putin bring back nuclear weapons to Belarus,” Mr Lukashenko said, commenting on reports that Nato could be moving its nuclear arsenal from Germany to eastern Europe. This graphic shows how tensions are rising on the borders between Europe and Russia.

Wednesday interview

Christian Horner exclusive on Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen