Covid deaths hit 223 – highest since MARCH – amid fears of winter restrictions

COVID powers were tonight extended until March 2022 as Britain recorded its most deaths since March.

MPs nodded through a watered-down version of the Coronavirus Act without a vote as typical Tory opposition melted away.

The most draconian powers such as arresting flouters and closing pubs and restaurants expired last month.

What's left of the gutted law includes powers to shut ports and mitigations to give workers sick pay.

Even Tory rebel ringleader Steve Baker – who opposed previous lockdowns -backed the Coronavirus Act passing tonight.

He said: "Today I hope it just goes through because it is, as I say, relatively inoffensive legislation.

"But we are going to need to turn the corner, we are going to need to show the public that we do stand for freedom, that we have coped with the coronavirus crisis of course.

"But actually in the long run their rights are sacrosanct and we're never ever going to do again to them what we have done over the past couple of years."

WINTER FEARS

Boris Johnson's Plan B to tackle a seasonal spike includes masks, working from home and vaccine passports.

There are fears of fresh restrictions this winter as infections topped 43,738.

It comes amid a frantic push to administer as many booster jabs as possible to avoid a fourth lockdown.

No 10 has hinted that masks, working from home, and Covid passports may need to be brought in this winter.

Ministers are increasingly worried about the number of new cases which is hurtling towards 50,000 a day.

Hospital admissions are also rising although only steadily, and currently remain below last month's levels.

It was today confirmed kids will get jabs at walk-in centres this half term.

Health secretary Sajid Javid told MPs the that the government is "ramping up" the vaccination programme.

He stated: "To make the most of half-term next week, we will now be opening up the national booking service to all 12 to 15-year-olds to have their Covid vaccinations in existing national vaccination centres, which will offer families more flexibility.

"I think it is important that anyone who is invited as eligible for a vaccine, including young people, that they do come forward and take up that offer."

NHS chief Amanda Pritchard confirmed the plans today.

But she highlighted that there are a "number of challenges to vaccinating 12 to 15 year olds at scale and at pace".

More to follow…

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