BORIS Johnson today vowed to do "whatever we have to do" to keep rising Covid cases under control but insisted a full lockdown isn't "on the cards".
The PM urged Brits to be increasingly "cautious" and start wearing masks again amid alarm over spiralling infections.
He insisted that the surge of the virus was "always predicted" by scientists and is "fully in line with" what they expected.
Speaking at a vaccine centre in London, the PM said the most important thing people can do is come forward for their booster jabs.
Boris said: "Our autumn and winter plan always predicted that cases would rise around about now. We’re certainly seeing that in the numbers.
"We’re seeing high levels of infection, but they’re not outside the parameters of what was predicted or what we thought we’d see.
"But it’s very important people do follow the guidance on general behaviour, on being cautious."
He said people should wear masks "in confined places where you’re meeting people you don’t normally meet".
And he urged people to keep up regular hand washing and make sure rooms have good ventilation.
Booster rallying cry
Asked about calls from scientists for the return of more restrictions, like working from home, he said: "We keep all measures under constant review.
"We’ll do whatever we have to do to protect the public but the numbers we’re seeing at the moment are fully in line with what we expected."
Pressed further on whether he'd rule out a full lockdown, he added: "At the moment we see absolutely nothing to indicate that’s on the cards."
Boris hailed the fact that 250,000 booster jabs were administered yesterday but said he wants to see that number "ramped up even further".
In a rallying cry to the public, he said: "Thanks to everybody for coming forward but we need to see a lot more.
"I think people should be coming forward with the same spirit of determination to get their boosters as we saw earlier on this year.
"It’s a very good thing to do it gets you a huge amount of protection."
The PM added that he hopes the opening of a new booking system for children tomorrow will see more school kids get the jab.
Earlier in the week the business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said ministers could categorically "rule out" another lockdown.
Boris is under growing pressure from NHS chiefs and scientists to trigger 'Plan B' restrictions.
They include mandatory mask wearing, working from home, and vaccine passports for pubs and restaurants.
But hospitality chiefs have warned more curbs could threaten the crucial Christmas season and drive many businesses "to the wall".
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