British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said a new Covid-19 lockdown is not on the cards, as advisers warn that acting early with lighter measures to cut rising case numbers will reduce the need for tougher restrictions later.

According to Reuters, Johnson's government has said there is no need yet to introduce a "plan B" involving mask mandates, work-from-home orders and vaccine passports, though such measures could be introduced if more people do not come forward for Covid-19 vaccines and booster shots.

Johnson scrapped England's Covid restrictions in the summer, and he said that, while case numbers were rising, the trend was in line with what was expected.