New measures to tackle the spread of Covid-19

Following the identification of the Omicron variant in southern Africa earlier this week and with cases now identified in the UK, the Government have announced new measures to protect people against Covid-19. This variant appears to spread very rapidly and can spread between people who are double vaccinated. It also has an extensive mutation which means it diverges quite significantly from previous configurations of the virus, meaning it may in part reduce the protection of our vaccines over time.

The Government’s new measures to tackle the spread of this variant include:

-    Implementing a proportionate testing regime for arrivals from across the whole world. People will still be able to travel, but anyone who enters the UK will be required to, at least, take a PCR test by the end of the second day after their arrival, and to self-isolate until they have a negative result. Unvaccinated arrivals and those coming from red list countries will continue to need to follow the existing, more stringent testing and quarantine regimes.

-    In addition to the measures already being taken to locate those who have been in countries of concern over the last ten days, requiring all contacts of those who test positive with a suspected case of Omicron to self-isolate for ten days, regardless of their vaccination status.

-    Tightening up the rules on face coverings in shops and on public transport.

-    The Government are also going to boost the booster campaign. They are already planning to do 6 million jabs in England alone over the next three weeks and are now looking to go further. The Health Secretary has asked the JCVI to consider giving boosters to as wide a group as possible, as well as reducing the gap between your second dose and your booster.

These measures are temporary and precautionary and will be reviewed in three weeks.