By Q Radio News
Around a third of the Prime Minister's top team are apparently pushing back against a possible lockdown before Christmas - including Boris Johnson himself.
Some experts want to see new measures brought in, fearing the highly-transmissible Omicron variant could cripple the NHS otherwise.
In Northern Ireland, the new variant is thought to now be a dominant strain.
LISTEN: Omicron now thought to be the dominant strain of Covid 19 in NI. #Omicron https://t.co/V9Pfr5NOdG
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) December 20, 2021
One of the Government's scientific advisors David Spiegelhalter says he is not convinced by the argument that the latest version leads to a more-mild illness:
Woman charged over theft of campaigner’s car ‘must stay out of Belfast’
Bluetongue restrictions in Northern Ireland will be relaxed from Friday
Conviction led to safeguarding review at Presbyterian Church
Coroner vows to keep Noah Donohoe inquest ‘on track’ for January start date
Appeal to European Court being considered after ruling over Troubles disclosures