World News: Amid party outcry, Britain implores people: obey Covid rules – Gulf Digital News

World News: Amid party outcry, Britain implores people: obey Covid rules – Gulf Digital News

LONDON: Britain on Thursday implored people to obey tougher restrictions to slow the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant after revelations about alleged lockdown parties at Prime Minister Boris Johnson's residence provoked an outcry over hypocrisy.

Johnson imposed restrictions on England on Wednesday, just hours after apologising for a video showing staff laughing about a party in Downing Street during a 2020 Christmas Covid lockdown when such festivities were banned for the population.

The rules, including an order to work from home, wear masks in public and use vaccine passes, fell short of a lockdown, but angered some lawmakers in Johnson's own party and the retail and leisure sectors which said they were being hammered.

But revelations of a series of 2020 Christmas gatherings - which Johnson's spokesman had denied were parties - provoked widespread anger, mockery and disdain due to perceived hypocrisy at the heart of British power.

Asked why people - who at the time of the alleged party were prevented from bidding farewell to dying relatives with Covid - should obey the government, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the rules applied to everyone.

"No-one is exempt. No-one is above the rules, above the law on this," said Javid, who said he