Mixing with other households could be banned under Government's potential 'Covid Plan C' for winter

Mixing with people from other households could once again be banned, under measures being discussed by the Cabinet Office, the Telegraph understands.

Ministers yesterday threatened new restrictions, with the Health Secretary saying the public must "play their part" in order to enjoy Christmas with loved ones.

Urging wider take-up of jabs, Sajid Javid said the Government would not implement "Plan B" measures such as mandatory masks, advice to work from home, and vaccine passports "at this point".

However, The Telegraph understands the Cabinet Office is already considering plans for a potential “Plan C” - which would see mixing between households banned, if pressures on hospitals mount.

Such measures were in place for much of last year, when people were able to meet in pubs and restaurants, when they reopened, but not visit each others' homes.

However, the system was swept aside as the country entered a lockdown in January, with the ban on household mixing only axed in May.

Officials in the Cabinet Office's Covid taskforce are understood to be discussing whether such measures should be introduced this winter, if Plan B is introduced, yet deemed insufficient.

One Whitehall source said: "The focus is very much on measures that can be taken without a major economic impact, so keeping shops, pubs and restaurants open but looking at other ways to reduce the risks."

The measure has been discussed by officials amid concern that people are most likely to experience prolonged exposure to Covid within the home, while high prevalence of the virus among teenagers and children could feed through into the older adult community.

Half of Covid infections are now in the young.

The measure would allow Boris Johnson to shield the economy from the most extreme measures, by allowing businesses to stay open.

The discussions remain at an early stage, with Whitehall insiders stressing that they form part of contingency planning, will not be added to Plan B, and would not be automatically introduced, if Plan B was introduced but fails to work.

On Thursday morning, health minister Edward Argar said such proposals were not being “actively considered” by ministers.

He told Sky News: "Of course, as a Government, you look at - as we've done with our plan B - alternatives and ways that you might, if you needed to, start easing that pressure.

"The specifics of that and what was mooted in it as I understand it, as I only glanced at it I'm afraid on my way in this morning, about limiting household mixing, things like that ... is that it isn't something that is being actively considered."

The Prime Minister has refused to be drawn on which thresholds could trigger contingency measures.

But government scientists have suggested that Plan B measures might be considered if UK hospitalisations approach 1200 a day.

Daily hospital admissions are currently at 869, with a rise of 11 per cent in the last week.

Last month Prof Neil Ferguson told MPs that a doubling in hospitalisations could be enough to trigger introduction of control measures. Then daily admissions were at 600.

A Government spokesperson said: “We always knew the coming months would be challenging, which is why we set out our plan for Autumn and Winter last month.

“The vaccination programme has significantly weakened the link between cases, hospitalisations and deaths and will continue to be our first line of defence against Covid-19.

“We encourage those who are eligible for a booster jab to come forward to ensure they have this vital extra protection as we approach winter.”

At a Downing Street briefing on Wednesday evening, Mr Javid said the Government will "do what it takes to make sure that this pressure doesn't become unsustainable, and that we don't allow the NHS to become overwhelmed".

Warning that Covid cases could reach 100,000 a day this winter, Mr Javid urged those offered booster jabs to come forward "not just to save lives, but to keep your freedoms too”.

The Health Secretary urged anyone eligible for jabs to come forward.

Highlighting a “narrowing gap” in the race between the vaccine and the virus, he said: “We’ve come so far, thanks to the efforts of so many, but with winter ahead we can’t blow it now.”

Mr Javid said those offered jabs should take them up “not just to save lives, but to keep your freedoms too”.

The Health Secretary also suggested that people should meet outdoors where possible, wear masks in crowded areas, and make more use of lateral flow tests.

With 49,139 covid cases reported yesterday - a 17 per cent rise in a week - Mr Javid said this figure could reach 100,000 a day.

“We’re looking closely at the data, and we won’t be implementing our Plan B of contingency measures at this point,” he told the press conference.

“But we’ll be staying vigilant preparing for all eventualities while strengthening our vital defences that can help us fight back against this virus.”

Last month ministers published a covid “plan B” setting out restrictions, such as mandatory vaccine passports, face coverings, and advice to work from home, which might be introduced if the NHS is deemed to be under “unsustainable pressure”.

This week hospital managers have urged ministers to introduce Plan B now, with Matthew Taylor, head of the NHS Confederation saying "we risk stumbling into a winter crisis" without action.

Mr Taylor, a former aide to Tony Blair also called for ministers to come up with a "Plan C" of tougher restrictions.

The Health Secretary said restrictions would be “more likely” this winter if people did not get vaccinated, wear masks in crowded places or be cautious in their behaviour.

“If we all play our part then we can give ourselves the best possible chance in this race, get through this winter, and enjoy Christmas with our loved ones,” he told the Downing Street conference.

"If not enough people get their booster jabs, if not enough of those people that were eligible for the original offer, the five million I've talked about that remain unvaccinated, if they don't come forward, if people don't wear masks when they really should in a really crowded place with lots of people that they don't normally hang out with, if they're not washing their hands and stuff, it's going to hit us all.

"And it would of course make it more likely we're going to have more restrictions,” he said.

Urging those eligible to come forward when offered jabs, he said: “If we want to secure these freedoms for the long term, the best thing that we can do is come forward, once again, when that moment comes.

On Wednesday the Business Secretary said he could “categorically rule out” lockdowns, saying "We’ve worked really hard to get to the point that we could actually open up the economy.”