Compulsory mask-wearing and self isolation periods are returning to England as part of a range of measures aimed at containing the spread of a ‘dangerous’ new Covid variant.
Boris Johnson has announced new rules after the UK Health Security Agency confirmed the first two Omicron cases have been detected in Essex and Nottingham.
The strain has quickly been labelled a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation, because it appears to spread ‘very rapidly’ and may partially reduce the protection of existing vaccines.
Mr Johnson held a Downing Street press conference on Saturday night and brought in a range of new measures in response to the growing threat.
But he stopped short of bringing back work-from-home guidance or extending the use of vaccine passports.
Ministers have also said the country is ‘some way off’ going back into full lockdown and have reassured people they can keep planning Christmas celebrations.
The ‘temporary and precautionary’ measures will be reviewed in three weeks time.
Here’s everything you need to know about the new rules:
Are face masks compulsory again?
The wearing of face masks in shops and public transport will become mandatory again, Mr Johnson has confirmed.
Covering your face was already recommended in crowded settings over the summer but it has not been a legal requirement for many months.
This will change in response to the new variant and health secretary Sajid Javid has confirmed the new regulations will come into place on Tuesday.
This brings England back into line with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where masks have remained compulsory.
It means people who refuse to wear masks in designated settings risk being fined by the police.
Mr Javid said he expects mask wearing to increase as people become more wary of the threat of the new strain.
The new face covering rules are not expected to apply in hospitality settings like pubs and restaurants.
What are the new self isolation rules?
Self isolation periods for close contacts of Covid cases were scrapped over the summer due to the so-called ‘pingdemic’.
But now, people who are informed they have been in contact with someone who has the Omicron variant must self-isolate at home for ten days – even if they are double vaccinated.
This will be accompanied by surge testing in areas where the variant is discovered.
Can I still travel to another country?
All international arrivals must take a PCR test on or before their second day in the UK and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
Previously, travellers from non-red list countries could take a cheaper lateral flow test at home.
Mr Javid has not confirmed when these new rules will come into place as the Government is still working with the devolved assemblies on a timetable.
It leaves many who are abroad guessing what measures they may need to take when they get back to the UK.
Travel restrictions have already been implemented to slow the spread of the variant. From 4am on Sunday, South Africa, Botswana, Lesostho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibi, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Angola were added to the UK’s travel red list.
This means people returning from these countries will have to pay to enter a quarantine hotel.
Will I have to get a booster jab?
More people are expected to be offered a booster vaccine in the coming weeks to improve their levels of immunity over the winter.
The UK has so far boosted 16.8million people, but the roll-out has focused on older age groups and more vulnerable groups.
Mr Johnson said more than 6 million extra jabs will be administered in England over the next three weeks.
The Health Secretary has asked the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to consider giving boosters to as wide a group as possible, as well as reducing the gap between people’s second and third dose.
MORE : Returning to work after shielding: ‘I was convinced that if I caught Covid I’d die’
MORE : Face masks return in shops and public transport as new strain arrives in UK
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