AN MP and councillors say if Boltonians remain vigilant with the new Omicron variant, a Plan B is unlikely.

This comes as scientists have warned the virus could potentially become dominant within a few weeks.

So far Omicron appears to be more transmissible. But research is still being carried out to understand more about the impact.

Four cases of the variant were confirmed in Bolton by health bosses on Monday.

Bolton South East MP Yasmin Quereshi said: “Any new variant is always a concern, especially when we’re not 100 per cent sure about it. If researchers find out it’s much more serious then we will have to act, but we have to wait until we know more.

“From here until Christmas, anything could happen. It’s hard to predict, but I can’t imagine a Christmas lockdown. It is always a moving situation, but if everyone is careful we should be okay.”

A new set of coronavirus restrictions, including orders to work from home and the introduction of vaccine passports, is being considered.

But Downing Street sources insist “no decisions have been made”.

Cllr John Walsh said: “I think the most important thing is that people follow the guidelines and wear a mask in shops and transport, as well as sanitising, and keeping distance when necessary. We should be okay if guidelines are followed.”

Cllr Hilary Fairclough said: “At this moment in time everything is okay, and we have measures in place, and we will change or modify them as required. We look at it on a day by day basis.”

At the moment the rate of new cases in the seven days to December 3 was 307.4, with 886 new cases in this period. This is compared to a rate of 328.2 in the seven days to November 26.