UK tightens COVID-19 rules as 1st cases of Omicron variant reported

Two linked cases of the new Omicron COVID-19 variant have been detected in Britain connected to travel to southern Africa, health minister Sajid Javid said on Saturday, ahead of Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing new measures to try to slow the spread of the variant.

Javid said the two individuals and all members of their households are being re-tested and were told to self-isolate while further testing and contact tracing is done.

Johnson announced that arrivals from all countries would have to self-isolate until receiving a negative PCR test result, that face masks must be worn in retail settings and that it was time to step up COVID-19 booster shots.

England will also add Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola to its travel "red list,” meaning British and Irish residents who arrive in the country must quarantine in a government-approved hotel for 10 days. Non-residents will be refused entry. That list already contained Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

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