New measures to slow the spread of the new Omicron Covid-19 variant are being introduced today (Tuesday, November 30).
Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the temporary measures over the weekend following the discovery of cases of the Omicron variant in the UK, including now nine cases in London.
Scientists have said they are concerned about the Omicron variant – also known as B.1.1.529 – as it has about 30 different mutations, double the number of the Delta variant.
Here’s a breakdown of the locations of all the announced Omicron cases in England, by local authority:
Thrteen cases in total have been identified in England. These are: Barnet (2) Brentwood (1) Camden (2), Haringey (1) Liverpool (1) North Norfolk (1) Nottingham (1) Sutton (1) Wandsworth (1) and Westminster (2)
The new measures include:
- Compulsory face coverings in shops and public transport
- All international arrivals to take a Day 2 PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative test
- All contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate, regardless of their age or vaccination status
The Government has said these measures are a precaution while more information is gathered about Omicron, including to what degree vaccines offer protection, which is expected in a couple of weeks.
At a press briefing held this evening (30 November), The Prime Minister revealed that the target is to offer all over-18s a booster jab by the end of January
The Prime Minister said at least 400 military personnel will help the NHS and volunteers deliver jabs, with centres “popping up like Christmas trees”.
The PM added: “We’ve already done almost 18 million boosters across the UK but we’ve got millions more to do to protect the most vulnerable.
“Then we’ll move down the cohorts rapidly, and working together with the devolved administrations we want to ramp up capacity across the whole United Kingdom to the levels we achieved in the previous vaccination effort.
“We’re going to be throwing everything at it in order to ensure that everyone eligible is offered that booster, as I say, in just over two months.”
Follow our live coverage below – for everything you need to know about Covid and the Omicron variant.
How are the new measures affecting you? Are people following the rules? Get in touch [email protected]
https://www.mylondon.news/news/health/london-omicron-live-updates-new-22315094
