Meanwhile, an enterprising pub is offering workspace instead of WFH, and one unfortunate Brit has a nasty experience with otters in Singapore.

Here are the key headlines affecting travel on Friday 10 December in our last press round-up of the week.

UK ‘to see a million Omicron cases by Christmas’

Estimates provided by Downing Street put the doubling rate of Omicron cases at two to three days, suggesting an epidemic moving as fast, or faster than the original Wuhan wave. Health Secretary Sajid Javid told MPs on Wednesday there could be close to 10,000 cases of the variant now spreading in the UK – 20 times higher than the confirmed total. If it multiplies by two every three days, it means 500,000 by Christmas day. A doubling every two and a half days sees cases exceed a million. (The Telegraph)

Government faces rebellion over Covid restrictions

Boris Johnson is facing a major Conservative rebellion over Covid-19 restrictions next week, as a “sulphurous” mood sweeps through Tory ranks over his leadership. Johnson is braced for a torrid seven days, with Conservative unrest playing out ahead of a highly problematic by-election in North Shropshire, where the Liberal Democrats hope to overturn a 23,000 Tory majority. (Financial Times)

Plan C in preparation, government sources reveal

Minister are drawing up plans for a Plan C package which would reintroduce the NHS Covid app check-in for people going to pubs and restaurants, make face masks compulsory in all indoor spaces and using vaccine passports for more venues. (The Daily Mail)

WFH becomes Work From Pub

Pubs are seizing on a loophole in Covid rules by setting up workspaces with free tea and wifi to entice staff away from kitchen tables. One Norwich pub is offering barred office workers a deal for three hours for £12, including power, a lunchtime sandwich and unlimited teas. (The Sun)

Otters attack man in Singapore

A British man attacked by a pack of otters in a Singapore park said he thought he was going to die. Graham George Spencer, who lives in Singapore, said he was chased, pinned down and bitten “26 times in 10 seconds” by a family of otters while out for an early morning walk in the city’s botanic gardens. The attack cost him $1,200 in medical bills. (The Guardian)