Meanwhile, asymptomatic people in England who test positive for Covid-19 on a lateral flow device will no longer need confirmatory PCR tests from next Tuesday. 

The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed that the change, described as a “temporary” measure, will take effect on January 11. 

The decision comes amid recent shortages of testing capacity and a record number of reported Covid cases yesterday. 

Boris Johnson has had a busy afternoon in the Commons, with Prime Minister’s Questions (which Sir Kier Starmer missed after testing positive for Covid) and his announcement on travel restrictions. Here are the highlights.

Scotland cuts self-isolation

In Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has abandoned her tougher coronavirus self-isolation rules, cutting the period from 10 to seven days in line with the rest of the UK. 

The Scottish First Minister had faced pressure from opposition parties to make the change, which applies as long as people test negative on days six and seven of isolation. 

In a further alteration, Ms Sturgeon announced that people who test positive on a lateral flow device will no longer need to take a PCR test to confirm the result, but instead immediately isolate and report the result to Test and Protect. Read on for details. 

Around 100,000 critical industry workers will be required to take daily lateral flow tests from Jan 10 in a bid to alleviate the staffing shortage crisis gripping Britain, the Government has confirmed. 

Here is who may be included in the scheme.

Macron to ‘p— off’ French

Across the Channel, Emmanuel Macron has sparked uproar by pledging to “p— off” France’s unvaccinated in denying them access to even more aspects of daily life. 

The French president’s inflammatory comments came as the government seeks to push through parliament legislation that will make vaccination compulsory to enjoy cultural activities, use inter-city train travel or visit a cafe from January 15. 

No longer will it be possible to have a recent test or a recovery from the coronavirus to qualify for the country’s Covid pass. Read on for his comments.

Comment and analysis

Around the world: Kazakhstan gripped by protests

Protesters in Kazakhstan today appeared to pull down a statue of ex-President Nursultan Nazarbayev, an ally of Vladimir Putin who still wields outsize influence in the former Soviet Republic, as the country was gripped by its biggest demonstrations since the collapse of the USSR. Dramatic images of the statue with ropes attached to its neck and legs emerged as Russian media cited sources as saying Mr Nazarbayev was planning to leave the country for “medical treatment” amid the widespread demonstrations. The protests, which began over a hike in energy prices but have since widened in scope, are the biggest threat so far to the regime he established. See video and images of the protests.

Wednesday big-read

Ghislaine Maxwell and the complicated love life of a she-devil