As it happened: UK reports more than 90,000 daily Covid cases

Summary

A further 93,045 Covid cases have been confirmed in the UK - another record high as the Omicron variant drives a spike in infections
And another 111 deaths are reported within 28 days of a positive test
Wales must introduce further restrictions because “the storm of Omicron is coming our way”, First Minister Mark Drakeford says
In a press conference at the same time, Nicola Sturgeon warns the "tsunami is starting to hit" Scotland
From 27 December, nightclubs in Wales must close in response to the Omicron variant
Social distancing will also be required in shops and workplaces
In Scotland, people have already been advised to limit socialising to three households in the run-up to Christmas
And President Biden warns unvaccinated Americans faces a winter of severe illness and death because of Omicron

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.

Here are the top stories this morning:

Nightclubs will close and social distancing will be required in shops and workplaces in Wales from 27 December in response to the Omicron variant
First Minister Mark Drakeford says the country must prepare now for the “storm of Omicron” which is approaching
The UK reported another record number of daily Covid cases, with 88,376 infections confirmed on Thursday
The Archbishop of Canterbury says he was "disappointed" to see a photo of Tory staff at a party last Christmas while the country was in lockdown
Meanwhile, the Department for Transport has apologised after staff held a lockdown gathering last December
President Biden has warned unvaccinated Americans face a winter of severe illness and death because Omicron is on the point of spreading much more rapidly

Summary