Omicron reaches UK : What you need to know

Picture courtesy: Hindustan Times

Two people in the UK have been found to be infected with the new variant, Omicron, the health secretary has said. These cases were found in Brentwood, Essex, and Nottingham and connected to travel in southern Africa.

Mr. Johnson announced the restrictions after it was confirmed that two Omicron cases had been detected. Under the plans:-

Face coverings will become mandatory again in shops and on public transport in England from next week as part of measures to target the new coronavirus variant, Omicron.

PCR tests for everyone entering the UK will be introduced and all contacts of new variant cases will have to self-isolate, even if fully jabbed. The measures were "temporary and precautionary", he added.

The health secretary is to ask advisers to consider rapidly extending boosters, including reducing the gap between the second dose of the vaccine and the booster

The prime minister said the new measures would be reviewed in three weeks, by which time they should have better information about the "continuing effectiveness" of vaccines.