Earlier this week the Prime Minister announced temporary restrictions in response to concerns over the new Omicron COVID-19 variant being identified in the UK, because there are fears that it could be more infectious and less responsive to vaccines.
We sent you a special edition of this newsletter to help explain what the Omicron variant is, what the new restrictions are and how they will help to slow the spread of COVID-19. If you missed it, you can catch up via this link.
The new rules in response to the COVID-19 Omicron variant include:
- face coverings – you must wear a face covering in shops and on public transport. Face coverings should be worn in communal areas of universities, colleges and schools by staff, visitors and students in year seven and above
- international arrivals – if you’re travelling to England from abroad you must take a PCR test before the end of day two, following your arrival and self-isolate until you get a negative test result, even if you’re fully vaccinated
- self-isolation – if you’re a contact of someone who may have been infected with the Omicron variant, you must self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of your age or vaccination status