New measures have been introduced in England today by the government in an effort to stem the spread of a new Covid variant, Omnicron.
Five cases have been detected in England so far, with six reported in Scotland.
Due to the fact that not all Omnicron cases are connected with travel to South Africa, where the variant was first found, there is concern that the variant is already spreading in the community.
In response, the Westminster governmnet has brought in. new measures in England as of 4am Tuesday to give scientists more time to analyse the Omnicron variant, which was termed a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organisation on Friday.
People who break the rules could be fined £200. They will be reviewed in three weeks time, on 21 December.
New measures coming into force in England today:
- All international arrivals must take a Day 2 PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
- All contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate, regardless of their vaccination status, and they will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace.
- Face coverings will be made compulsory in shops and on public transport from next week, and all hospitality settings will be exempt.
The introduction of these new measures – which were announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a Downing Street news conference this past Saturday evening, and confirmed by Health Secretary Sajid Javid this week – are being taken as a “precaution to slow down the spread of the variant”.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the measures which have been introduced today are proportionate given the threat of the Omicron variant – which scientists fear could be more transmissible and vaccine resistant.
Mr Javid told Sky News yesterday: “Doing it in this proportionate way where it’s for public transport, it’s for retail outlets, I think is the right level of response on masks.
“It will be via government regulation and that means, I think, that people will take it seriously.”
Mr Javid also claimed that the tightening of the rules would make Britons take the threat of the virus “more seriously”.
The rules will be reviewed in three weeks time.
Featured Image – StockSnap / TfGM
