Eight things we learned from the prime minister's briefing
Prime minister Boris Johnson announced the return of restrictions from next week following the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19. - Credit: PA Wire
Prime minister Boris Johnson has confirmed restrictions will return from Tuesday.
In a press conference on Saturday evening, Mr Johnson announced the plans to try and reduce the spread of the new Omicron variant which has recently been found in the UK.
Here are eight key things learned from the press briefing.
1. Face masks will be compulsory in shops and on public transport in England from next week.
2. Anyone entering the UK from any destination abroad will have to take a PCR test two days after arrival and self-isolate until they have a negative result.
3. Anyone who has been in close contact with a case of Omicron will have to self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of their vaccination status.
4. The new measures will be reviewed within three weeks.
5. The two cases discovered in the UK were part of the same outbreak and are in Essex and Nottingham.
Most Read
- 1 Proposals for new solar farm off land near A30
- 2 Dalwood country fair this August
- 3 Dog show to raise vital funds for Devon Air Ambulance and Blue Cross
- 4 Man attacks seagull with cricket bat in Lyme Regis
- 5 Property of the Week: Maroc House, Lyme Regis
- 6 Dracula at Seaton - something to sink your teeth into this summer
- 7 'Risk of injury' - Aldi recalls product due to safety fears
- 8 Man released on bail after Dunkeswell accident
- 9 Green flag award for four East Devon parks
- 10 Tigers roar in brilliant start to the football season
6. Omicron can be spread between people who are double vaccinated.
7. The variant has an “extensive” mutation which means in may “at least in part” reduce the protection of the vaccine over time, the PM said.
8. Omicron “really changes the risk/benefit calculations” for the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation regarding recommending vaccines to younger children, meaning children under 12 could soon be eligible.
Join our Norfolk Coronavirus Updates Facebook group for more news about how the pandemic is affecting the county.