It’s Plan C (for clubs) once more

REVELLERS across England partied without having to wear face masks or show Covid passes on the first weekend since Plan B measures were brought to an end.

Clubs, late bars and pubs in England were packed last night as people enjoyed the fewest restrictions of the home nations.

Nightclubs inwales have reopened after being shut for a month and clubbers do not need masks, but they must be worn in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Infections are falling, with 72,727 cases and 296 deaths reported yesterday, compared with 76,807 cases and 297 deaths last week.

The first of 500,000 vulnerable five to 11-year-olds eligible for vaccinations received their first jab yesterday as the rollout was extended.

It comes two weeks after the programme was expanded so all 16 and 17-year-olds could have a booster.

Meanwhile, the Government is refusing to scrap plans to force all healthcare workers to be vaccinated. The move could see thousands sacked. From April 1, all unvaccinated NHS staff plus those working in private healthcare will be forbidden from continuing in their jobs.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “This is about patient safety and ensuring people in hospital or care have as much protection as possible.’’ However MPS fear the move will exacerbate NHS job shortages and called for the policy to be ditched.

Nursing and Midwifery Council chief executive Andrea Sutcliffe revealed that recruitment of staff from abroad has accelerated and 575 overseas nurses were registered in one week.

But a senior source close to Health Secretary Sajid Javid last night denied the jab mandate is behind an increase in recruitment from abroad.

They said: “This is not linked, we have our 50,000 nurses target which we are on track for and also have more people training to be a nurse in the UK than ever before.”

‘It’s all about patient safety’