UK Chancellor explains his absence as omicron rages

Britain's Treasury chief said on Thursday that he was cutting short a visit to the United States. This comes after England’s chief medical officer advised people to reduce socializing over the festive period - provoking fears of further damage to the hospitality, travel and leisure sectors.

Speaking from California, Treasury chief Rishi Sunak said he had already been in contact with business chiefs and industry leaders, and he would leave the U.S. earlier than planned. He said he would be back in Britain on Friday. More than 88,000 COVID-19 cases were recorded in the U.K. on Thursday. That was the highest number since the pandemic began.