PM Johnson imposes new measures after UK reports Omicron variant cases
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UK PM Johnson declared that people who had come in contact with those infected with the Omicron variant must self-isolate for a period of ten days even if they are vaccinated.
After the UK reported two cases of the Omicron variant on Saturday, British PM Boris Johnson declared that all passengers arriving in the UK must isolate themselves until they can show a negative PCR test to the authorities.
The British prime minister said the test should be taken by the second day of arrival in the UK and travellers should self-isolate until then.
COVID UPDATE: All international arrivals entering England must take a day 2 PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result. pic.twitter.com/BuQcUzkFMb
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) November 27, 2021
Johnson declared that people who had come in contact with those infected with the Omicron variant must self-isolate for a period of ten days even if they are vaccinated.
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"I very much hope that we will find that we continue to be in a strong position and we can lift these measures again," PM Johnson said, adding, "We now need to go further and implement a new testing regime."
COVID UPDATE: All contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of their vaccination status. They will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace. pic.twitter.com/nNQXxM5Qo8
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) November 27, 2021
Face coverings have been made mandatory on public transport and shops, the government declared on Saturday.
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— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 27, 2021
The prime minister added that the measures are "temporary and precautionary" and it will be reviewed in three weeks.
Britain on Friday had banned all flights from South Africa after the country reported the B.1.1.529 variant which was named Omicron by the WHO and designated as a "variant of concern".
COVID UPDATE: Face coverings will become compulsory on public transport and in shops. Not including hospitality. pic.twitter.com/pq3TdftcOB
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) November 27, 2021
After the new variant was discovered, Britain expanded the travel ban to include Angola, Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi. The country had already barred travellers from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini on Friday.
UK health secretary Sajid Javid warned that the country wasn't out of the pandemic as he urged people to get vaccinated.
Britain has fully vaccinated over 80 per cent of the adult population, however, the number of COVID-19 cases have been steadily rising since the past month.
UK is one of the worst-hit countries due to the virus with over 10 million COVID-19 cases and more than 145,000 fatalities.
(With inputs from Agencies)