UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation on Wednesday to confirm Plan B Covid restrictions in England amid a rise in Omicron variant cases.

Mr Johnson was joined by England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance as he introduced Plan B measures to battle a rise in Omicron cases.

The Plan B largely brings England in line with the regulations already in place here in Wales.

People are being urged to work from home if they can, there are tighter rules on where face coverings should be worn, and NHS covid passes will be needed for nightclubs and other venues.

In Wales, vaccine passports are in force in cinemas, theatres, concert halls as well as nightclubs and large events.

They are also needed for unseated indoor venues with more than 500 people in the audience, outdoor or indoor unseated venues with a capacity over 4,000 and any event with more than 10,000 people.

The passes can be downloaded by people who are double vaccinated or have tested negatively within 48 hours of entering the venue.

But the rules here are likely to change again from tomorrow when the Welsh Government announces its latest three-weekly review of covid measures.

Covid passes have already been extended to cinemas and theatres in recent weeks and the vaccination programme has been significantly ramped up since the Omicron variant was identified.

There is speculation that closing schools for Christmas early or extending Covid passes to pubs and restaurants are measures being considered for Wales.

Here are the key points you need to know from the UK Government press conference:

Why is Covid Plan B needed?

Boris Johnson confirmed it was time to move to “Plan B” of the Government’s coronavirus strategy, with measures including a return to working from home.

He told a Downing Street press conference: “It has become increasingly clear that Omicron is growing much faster than the previous Delta variant and is spreading rapidly all around the world.”

While 568 cases had been confirmed in the UK “the true number is certain to be much higher”.

“Most worryingly, there is evidence that the doubling time of Omicron could currently be between two and three days.”

New Covid rules introduced in England

Guidance to work from home is to be reintroduced in England as part of measures to halt the spread of the Omicron variant, Boris Johnson has announced.

From this Friday, face masks will be required to most indoor venues including theatres and cinemas for wearing face masks.

The NHS Covid pass is to be made mandatory in England in a week’s time for nightclubs and venues where large crowds gather, Boris Johnson has announced.

These are unseated indoor venues with more than 500 people, unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people, and any venue with more than 10,000 people.

The passes will still work for people who have had just two doses of a COVID vaccine, although this will be kept under review.

Boris Johnson urges people in England to work from home

Boris Johnson told a Downing Street press conference: “We will reintroduce the guidance to work from home.

“Employers should use the rest of the week to discuss working arrangements with their employees but from Monday you should work from home if you can.

“Go to work if you must but work from home if you can.

“I know this will be hard for many people but by reducing your contacts in the workplace, you will help slow transmission.”

When will Plan B come into force in England?

Boris Johnson said businesses will be given a week to make preperations for people to work from home.

From Monday people will be advised to work from home if they can.

From Friday, face masks will become mandatory in most indoor venues