Business leaders want the government to act quickly to restore confidence amid the rapid spread of Omicron and the fear that a large number of workers will call in sick, creating further disruption to supply chains.
Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, said last night a significant increase in Covid patients in hospital is a nailed-on prospect: All the things we know about Omicron are bad. He told cabinet ministers that the rise in cases was likely to lead to mass staff absences.
Whitty's advice to cut down on social interactions before Christmas was a blow to hospitality. Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said that the press conference took a sledgehammer to what is usually the busiest period of the year for nightclubs, bars and casinos.
Kill said the chancellor needs to come out of hiding and outline how he will support nightlife businesses through the Omicron wave.
Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, president of the British Chambers of Commerce, said businesses are facing a two-punch combination of staff absence and consumer confidence. They haven't heard anything from the Treasury since this round of Covid interventions arrived a week ago.