Johnson imposes COVID-19 'Plan B' in England to contain Omicron

A sign indicating that masks are compulsory is placed at the Christmas Market, in Montreux, Switzerland December 6, 2021. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed tougher COVID-19 restrictions in England on Wednesday, ordering people to work from home, wear masks in public places and use vaccine passes to slow the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant.

Undermined by accusations that his staff partied at Downing Street during a Christmas lockdown last year, Johnson said Omicron was spreading rapidly and he had no choice but to move to "Plan B" while a vaccine booster programme rolls out.