Those celebrating Christmas in the UK are very unlikely to know before December 25 whether the country will be plunged into lockdown afterwards.

Government sources said last night that no announcements on further Covid-19 restrictions will be made this week – meaning any disruption to new year celebrations are only expected to be revealed at the last minute next week.

Pubs, restaurants and nightclubs are now concerned they will not have enough time to make adjustments ahead of New Year’s Eve, if there are significant changes.

And with the profit of many places riding on good trade on December 31 into the early hours of new year, the economy may well hang in the balance.

Hospitality venues, including one of the largest Indian restaurants in the UK, have told Metro.co.uk they fear further measures may lead to their ruin.

But more senior Government sources said last night that country should not be subjected to more Covid-19 rules full stop, after research into the new Omicron variant suggested it causes a less severe disease than in other strains.

Scientists in a Scotland-wide study said the variant is associated with a two-thirds reduction in the risk of hospitalisation compared with the Delta strain.

And separate research from Imperial College London indicates that people with the new strain are up to a fifth less likely to need admission to hospital.

Those who do end up in hospital are 40 to 45% less likely to require a stay of one night or more, according to the research.

As a result of this research, insiders believe plans for emergency Cabinet meetings and the possible recall of Parliament early next week are increasingly unlikely.

A source told The Telegraph: ‘Without a doubt these new developments are positive albeit indicative signs which weaken the case for further restrictions.’

Another Cabinet minister said the data was ‘good news, as expected, for those of us who have been resisting more restrictions’, and could represent a ‘killer blow’ to those in Government calling for extra measures.

A source close to Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, said: ‘He is of the opinion that measures so far, combined with self-initiated behavioural change, have been adequate to date.

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‘He will be studying these new findings closely, but he is prepared to change his view if the data picture changes.’

Despite this glimmer of hope, the UK yesterday reported more than 100,000 Covid cases in a single day for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

The figure of 106,122 infections yesterday is the highest ever – although there was no mass testing at the start of the outbreak in 2020 to truly know.

It surpasses the previous record number of daily cases, the 93,045 seen last Friday. The Omicron variant is thought to be more transmissible, which could be an explanation for the rise in cases.

The public still has been warned by prime minister Boris Johnson to ‘exercise caution’ over the festive period by following coronavirus guidance and getting a booster jab if they are able.

Public Health Scotland’s Dr Jim McMenamin described the positive findings of the Scotland research as a ‘qualified good news story’, but warned that it was ‘important we don’t get ahead of ourselves’.

‘The potentially serious impact of Omicron on a population cannot be underestimated,’ he said.

‘A smaller proportion of a much greater number of cases that might ultimately require treatment can still mean a substantial number of people who may experience severe Covid infections that could lead to potential hospitalisation.’

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