The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reportedly contacted local authorities on Friday to canvass their level of support for the “immediate rollout of the winter plan – plan B” measures in England to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Boris Johnson has so far publicly resisted suggestions that he should order the implementation of plan B, which includes the use of vaccine passports at higher-risk venues as well as legally mandating the use of face masks in some settings in England.

However, in a leaked memo the UKHSA reported by the Guardian states that it was urgently seeking the views of council chief executives and leaders to be fed directly into the Cabinet Office.

Sky News at the same time reported that two scientific government advisers have said that vaccines are not quite enough on their own and other protections are needed now to tackle coronavirus and prevent another "lockdown Christmas". They urged measures such as working from home and mask wearing to curb the spread of COVID-19.