What the newspapers say: the front pages of Saturday

The articles are led by the impact of Omicron and report that government ministers will receive additional protection due to security concerns.
the Irish time leads with a modification of the rules for restricting close contact. Under the latest government action, close contacts of people with Covid-19 will see the five-day movement restriction period reduced if fully strengthened
Meanwhile, the Irish Examiner reports that government ministers must receive garda drivers due to security concerns.
It will take another two weeks before the peak of the Omicron wave of Covid-19, according to the Independent Irish.
the Irish Daily Star and the Irish Daily Mirror also report that government ministers will receive additional protection, with newspapers citing fears about threats from extremist groups.
Happy New Year 🎉 Our first edition of 2022 includes Mag Horoscopes, @starchicmag and two big @IrishStarSport withdrawals pic.twitter.com/kVrxslhOK4
– Irish Daily Star (@IsFearrAnStar) January 1, 2022
the Irish Daily Mail leads with pressure on child care services due to Covid-19, with nurseries warning there may be closures due to isolation rules impacting workforce.
Happy New Year to all our Irish Daily Mail readers https://t.co/wKUyK4A9A5 pic.twitter.com/AYyc9yliYc
– The Irish Daily Mail (@irishdailymail) December 31, 2021
The PSNI has spent more than 1.6 million pounds (1.4 million euros) on informants, according to the Belfast Telegraph.
Hello readers and happy new year. Stay with @beltel for all your latest news. Here’s a look at the front page of the Belfast Telegraph this morning https://t.co/ZFlfbJQwqj pic.twitter.com/X3aj5kztuR
– Belfast Telegraph (@BelTel) January 1, 2022
Meanwhile, in Britain, Saturday’s front pages focus on the ‘real heroes’ of the pandemic, a prize for the man who was James Bond and the woes of Brexit.
Two boys who raised more than £ 800,000 (€ 952,711) for the NHS during the pandemic have become the youngest recipients of the Queen’s honors, reports the Daily Mirror.
Tomorrow’s front page: the heroes of Queen’s Covid # tomorrowspaperstoday https://t.co/ApLHp6EwwP pic.twitter.com/AO1GwFvtcn
– The mirror (@DailyMirror) December 31, 2021
Youth achievements are also noted by I weekend, who says praise went to “our pandemic heroes (and the celebrities did well too)”.
Saturday’s front page: Honoring our pandemic heroes (and the celebrities did well, too) #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/8dnRubulpz
– I journal (@theipaper) December 31, 2021
the Daily Express focuses on honors for ‘true heroes’ and notes the achievements of England’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Professor Chris Whitty, UK Health Safety Agency chief Dr Jenny Harries, and Deputy Director General Jonathan Van-Tam.
EXPRESS: Honors to our REAL heroes #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/UYAr75RqOa
– Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) December 31, 2021
the Star of the day, meanwhile, reports that James Bond star Daniel Craig was made a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, the same honor bestowed on 007.
Tomorrow’s front page: Gong from Her Majesty’s Secret Service# tomorrowspaperstodayhttps://t.co/qbLWFZYwGI pic.twitter.com/VkkH1xCcBy
– Star of the day (@dailystar) December 31, 2021
Restrictions on freedom “must be an absolute last resort” and the UK must seek to “live alongside” the coronavirus in 2022, writes Health Secretary Sajid Javid in the Daily mail.
TO POST: @javid: Borders should only be a last resort #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Z87g0IfAQG
– Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) December 31, 2021
A survey of The Guardian showed the “tidal wave” of threats and abuse directed against government scientific and medical advisers.
Guardian front page, January 1, 2022: Covid advisers reveal ‘tidal wave’ of threats and abuse pic.twitter.com/p0iwdMBhdw
– The guardian (@gardien) December 31, 2021
The independent conducted a poll which found most voters believe Brexit has done more harm than good for the country.
DIGITAL INDEPENDENT: Most voters now say UK situation is worse after Brexit #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/nwVKbP4iRG
– Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) December 31, 2021
And The temperature reports that ministers are considering relaxing immigration rules to make it easier for thousands of Indians to live and work in the UK.
TIMES: a visa agreement to attract India #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/yxnwrtDX3V
– Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) December 31, 2021