British PM faces rebellion

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces a large rebellion among his Conservative lawmakers yesterday in a parliamentary vote over new restrictions to try to curb the spread of the new Omicron coronavirus variant.

The measures, including ordering people to work from home, to wear masks in public places and use Covid-19 passes to enter some venues, are expected to be approved by parliament but with Johnson relying on the opposition Labour Party for votes.

It's yet another blow to a prime minister already under pressure over reported parties in his Downing Street office last year when such gatherings were banned, a pricey refurbishment of his apartment and the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Many of his lawmakers say the restrictions are draconian, with several questioning the introduction of vaccination certification, dubbed Covid passports, to enter some venues, such as night clubs.

Others are using the votes as an opportunity to vent their anger at Johnson, believing the man who helped the Conservatives win a large majority at a 2019 election is squandering the party's successes by self-inflicted missteps and gaffes.

But despite the grumblings of discontent, Conservative Party insiders say there is not enough of a groundswell against Johnson to dislodge him yet, with no potential challenger commanding enough support to replace him.

Before the series of votes on the measures, due to start at around 1830 GMT, Johnson warned his cabinet of top ministers that there was a "huge spike" in Omicron cases heading Britain's way and that the measures were necessary to protect people.

Britain has registered almost 4,500 cases of Omicron, with 10 people hospitalised. One person has died after contracting the variant.

In China, economically important Zhejiang province wrestled with a Covid outbreak that has caused some districts to shut down businesses and left hundreds of thousands of people facing quarantine or other restrictions.

Zhejiang, a major industrial and export hub, reported 44 of China's 51 domestically transmitted coronavirus cases yesterday, bringing the total since late last week to nearly 200.

In Australia, authorities yesterday said they will push ahead with plans to ease Covid restrictions before Christmas. After a string of infections linked to festive season parties in and around Sydney, New South Wales state recorded more than 800 new cases yesterday -- its highest total since October 2. There were seven related