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Covid news – live: Boris Johnson brings back face masks for shops but measures branded ‘Plan B Lite’

Face coverings are to be made mandatory in shops and on public transport in England, Boris Johnson has announced, amid “temporary and precautionary” measures to combat the new Omicron variant of coronavirus.

It comes after the first two cases – which are “linked” and have been connected to travel to southern Africa – were located in England late last night.

Addressing the nation at a Downing Street press conference, the PM also revealed that all arrivals into the UK will be required to take a PCR test once more and isolate at home until a negative Covid result has been confirmed. A review into all these new rules will be conducted in three weeks, he added.

The measures have, however, been criticised by many who believe they do not go far enough to tackle the “extremely transmissible” variant. Prof Susan Michie, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said the precautions were “Plan B Lite when we should have had Plan B Plus”. She told BBC News she was “very surprised [Mr Johnson] hasn’t gone further”.

Follow our live coverage below

Read More

Omicron: Everything we know about the new Covid variant

Omicron: How worried should we be about the new Covid variant?

Red list: What the ban on six Southern African countries means for travellers

Key Points

  • Mask-wearing back for shops and transport, PM announces...

  • ...as Britons warned they may need to ‘face up’ to more measures if Omicron worsens

  • PM’s ‘precautionary’ restrictions dismissed as ‘Plan B Lite’

  • Watch: Omicron variant may already be in US, says Fauci

  • First two UK cases of new variant found in Essex and Nottingham

  • Approved anti-viral pill needs ‘rethink’ due to Omicron variant – Whitty

Saturday 27 November 2021 08:42 , Chiara Giordano

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.

The UK is bracing for the arrival of the new Omicron Covid-19 variant first detected in southern Africa.

Stay tuned for rolling updates on the latest news and statistics throughout the day.

UK braces for arrival of omicron variant

Saturday 27 November 2021 08:46 , Chiara Giordano

The UK is bracing for the arrival of the potentially more dangerous and transmissible new Covid variant, as Europe has recorded its first case.

In Whitehall, the Covid-19 taskforce has been scrambling to examine what restrictions could be implemented if the variant displaces delta and takes hold in the UK, while scientific advisers to the government have warned that new measures are needed now.

Our science correspondent Samuel Lovett and economic editor Anna Isaac have more on this story:

UK braces for expected arrival of new Covid variant

Six African countries added to travel red list

Saturday 27 November 2021 08:49 , Chiara Giordano

The UK government has responded to an alert about Omicron - a new coronavirus variant of concern - by putting a flight ban on South Africa and adding the country, and five neighbours, to the travel “red list”.

British and Irish citizens or residents arriving from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe after 4am on Sunday 29 November will be required to book and pay for a UK government-approved hotel quarantine facility for 10 days.

Anyone else who has been in those six countries in the past 10 days will be denied entry to the UK.

Our travel correspondent Simon Calder explains the restrictions in more detail here:

Red list: What the ban on six Southern African countries means for travellers

Covid vaccine developer says jab could be tweaked in 100 days

Saturday 27 November 2021 09:04 , Chiara Giordano

The company that developed the Pfizer Covid-19 shot has said it could manufacture and distribute a new version of its jab within 100 days if the new omicron variant is found to make existing vaccines less effective.

BioNTech’s comment came as B.1.1.529, newly named after the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet, was declared a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which said it appeared to be highly transmissible.

Rory Sullivan has more on this story:

Vaccine firms work to tweak jabs against new ‘omicron’ Covid variant

Omicron variant may not evade booster jabs or two proper doses, says expert

Saturday 27 November 2021 09:28 , Chiara Giordano

Professor Calum Semple, who advises the government as part of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), told BBC Breakfast: “It’s very early days, we’ve only known about this virus for a few weeks.

“The evidence is it’s not causing more death and that’s important.

“The problem this might present is it might evade some of the vaccines but it might not evade the boosters or the two proper doses.”

He encouraged people to go and get their coronavirus booster vaccines.

New variant will get to UK ‘by hook or crook’, says expert

Saturday 27 November 2021 10:00 , Chiara Giordano

Speaking about the decision to place six countries on the red travel list, Professor Calum Semple, who advises the government as part of Sage, told BBC Breakfast: "If you can slow the virus coming into the country because you're timed for the booster campaign to get ahead of it, and it leaves the scientists to see if there is anything to worry about, which it doesn't seem it.

"The virus will get here by hook or crook, eventually, it will come here as people are asymptomatic, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't try and slow it down."

He said he is an advocate of masks and hand-washing and said: "I feel particularly uncomfortable on public transport. I'm pro-mask in the shops and public transport. We still have high levels of coronavirus but the vaccines are working."

New vaccine to combat omicron variant could begin ‘very rapidly’, says Oxford scientist

Saturday 27 November 2021 10:02 , Chiara Giordano

Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, the director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, said a new vaccine to combat omicron could begin “very rapidly” if required.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “The processes of how one goes about developing a new vaccine are increasingly well oiled.

“So if it’s needed that is something that could be moved very rapidly.”

Omicron variant ‘extremely unlikely to reboot pandemic' in UK, says vaccine expert

Saturday 27 November 2021 10:22 , Chiara Giordano

It is “extremely unlikely” the Omicron variant will trigger a major new wave of the Covid pandemic in the UK, a vaccine expert has said, despite the sudden return of travel restrictions.

Professor Andrew Pollard revealed his “optimism” that current vaccines will continue to prevent serious disease – and suggested Omicron will not outrun the dominant Delta variant in Europe.

Our deputy political editor has the full story:

Omicron variant ‘extremely unlikely’ to new Covid wave in UK, says vaccine expert

Expert cautiously optimistic existing vaccines could prevent serious disease from omicron variant

Saturday 27 November 2021 10:36 , Chiara Giordano

Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, the director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, expressed cautious optimism that existing vaccines could be effective at preventing serious disease from the Omicron variant.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that most of the mutations are in similar regions seen in other variants so far, adding: "That tells you that despite those mutations existing in other variants the vaccines have continued to prevent serious disease as we've moved through Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta.

"At least from a speculative point of view we have some optimism that the vaccine should still work against a new variant for serious disease but really we need to wait several weeks to have that confirmed.

"It's extremely unlikely that a reboot of a pandemic in a vaccinated population like we saw last year is going to happen."

Labour calls on government to boost UK’s Covid defences

Saturday 27 November 2021 11:06 , Chiara Giordano

The Labour Party has called on the government to boost the country's Covid-19 defences after a new variant was discovered in South Africa.

The new strain - designated Omicron - has been named as a "variant of concern" by the World Health Organisation.

Health secretary Sajid Javid said the government was still following its Plan A for managing Covid-19 this autumn, but Labour is calling for more to be done.

A Labour spokesman said the party is asking the government to carry out four steps to "redouble their efforts to protect the public through strengthening the country's vaccination programme".

It wants the date people are eligible for booster vaccines to be brought forward to five months, immediate clarity on whether people under 40 will be eligible for a booster and from when, immediate clarity from the JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) on the rollout of the vaccine to children under 12 and a plan to ensure all hospitals have an adequate supply of antiviral drugs.

Suspected Omicron case found in Germany

Saturday 27 November 2021 11:20 , Chiara Giordano

A minister in the German state of Hesse has revealed the Omicron variant has very probably arrived in Germany.

“Last night several Omicron-typical mutations were found in a traveller returning from South Africa,” tweeted Kai Klose, social affairs minister in the western German state that is home to Frankfurt airport.

He added that a full sequencing of the variant was being carried out and that the person was isolating as he urged anyone who had travelled from South Africa in the last few weeks to limit contacts and get tested.

61 plane passengers test positive for Omicron variant on arrival in Netherlands from South Africa

Saturday 27 November 2021 11:47 , Chiara Giordano

A total of 61 people who arrived in the Netherlands on two flights from South Africa on Friday have tested positive for coronavirus and are in isolation as the world seeks to contain a highly transmissible new coronavirus variant.

Further tests are under way on the travellers who arrived at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport to establish if any of them have the new Omicron variant of Covid-19 that was first discovered in southern Africa.

Two planes arrived in the Netherlands from Johannesburg and Cape Town shortly after the Dutch government, along with other nations around the world, on Friday imposed a ban on flights from southern African nations following discovery of the Omicron variant.

The Kennermerland local health authority, which is responsible for the testing and isolation operation, said in an update on Saturday that the people who tested positive must quarantine for seven days if they have symptoms and five days if they are symptom-free.

The 539 passengers who tested negative were allowed to return home or continue their journeys to other countries.

Several more countries impose travel restrictions amid concerns over Omicron variant

Saturday 27 November 2021 12:15 , Chiara Giordano

Australia and several other countries joined nations imposing restrictions on travel from southern Africa on Saturday after the discovery of the new Omicron coronavirus variant sparked global concern.

Although epidemiologists say travel curbs may be too late to stop Omicron from circulating globally, many countries around the world - including the United States, Brazil, Canada and European Union nations - announced travel bans or restrictions on southern Africa on Friday.

On Saturday, Australia said it would ban non-citizens who have been in nine southern African countries from entering and will require supervised 14-day quarantines for Australian citizens and their dependents returning from there.

Japan said it would extend its tightened border controls to three more African countries after imposing curbs on travel from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Lesotho on Friday.

Sri Lanka, Thailand and Oman also announced travel curbs on southern African nations.

Cinema shut down after defying Welsh Covid Pass rules

Saturday 27 November 2021 12:34 , Liam James

A cinema has been ordered to close by the Welsh Government after it defied Covid Pass rules.

Cinema & Co, an independent theatre in Swansea, was shut down by trading standards this month after refusing to ask customers to see their Covid passes.

Showing proof of full vaccination or a negative test became a legal requirement in Wales for cinemas and theatres earlier this month.

Anna Redfern, the cinema owner, had vowed to “take a stand”, calling the pass “discriminatory and unlawful”. She was supported by Richard Taylor, a Brexit Party and Abolish The Welsh Assembly candidate.

South Africa says it is being punished for discovering Omicron variant

Saturday 27 November 2021 12:55 , Liam James

South Africa has complained that it is being punished for having the scientific capability to detect new Covid variants early.

After the discovery of the Omicron variant on Wednesday, countries around the world have rushed to impose travel bans on South Africa and surrounding nations, posing a threat to their economies.

South Africa has some of the world’s top epidemiologists, who have managed to detect emerging variants and their mutations early in their development. The new variant was first discovered there and has since been detected in Belgium, Botswana, Israel and Hong Kong.

“Excellent science should be applauded and not punished,” the South African government’s diplomatic ministry said.

Omicron: Thailand and Sri Lanka ban travellers from African countries

Saturday 27 November 2021 13:19 , Liam James

Two Asian countries have decided to ban entry for travellers from several African countries over fears of the newly discovered Omicron variant of Covid-19.

Thailand’s authorities said on Saturday that it would ban travel from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe from December. All these countries are designated to have a high risk of those who have contracted the new coronavirus variant.

Sri Lanka has also said that was barring travel from the southern African countries of South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini.

Full story from Maroosha Muzaffar here:

Omicron: Thailand and Sri Lanka ban travellers from African countries

South Africa is right to feel aggrieved over the West’s response to Omicron | Voices

Saturday 27 November 2021 13:42 , Liam James

South Africa did the right thing by the world in flagging up the discovery of a new coronavirus variant, Omicron, which is now ringing alarm bells very loudly.

Its reward for this was Britain slapping an immediate ban on flights from the country, with others rapidly following suit.

James Moore on South Africa’s cause for complaint over its treatment this week:

South Africa is right to feel aggrieved over our response to Omicron | James Moore

Lack of vaccines in poorer countries to blame for new variants, says Gordon Brown

Saturday 27 November 2021 14:00 , Chiara Giordano

The lack of vaccines in poorer countries is to blame for the development of new coronavirus variants, Gordon Brown has claimed.

The former prime minister said it is "no surprise" new variant Omicron was discovered in South Africa earlier this week, and added that new variants are developing because richer countries are "hoarding" vaccines.

His comments in an article for the Guardian came after the UK placed six countries - South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia - on the red travel list following the discovery of the new variant.

People returning to the UK from those countries will have to quarantine.

Mr Brown said health leaders had given the government "repeated warnings" that new variants could develop due to a lack of vaccines for poorer countries.

First two cases of Omicron variant found in UK

Saturday 27 November 2021 14:11 , Chiara Giordano

The first two cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant have been detected in the UK, Sajid Javid has revealed.

The health secretary said the two cases - in Chelmsford and Nottingham - are linked.

Targeted testing will now be rolled out in both areas.

Two Omicron cases detected in UK both connected and linked to travel to southern Africa

Saturday 27 November 2021 14:25 , Chiara Giordano

Health secretary Sajid Javid said he was notified late on Friday night that two cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant had be detected in the UK.

The individuals who tested positive, and all members of their households, are being re-tested and told to self-isolate while further testing and contact tracing is underway.

One case has been located in Chelmsford and the other in Nottingham. Targeted testing will be carried out in both areas.

The two cases are linked and there is a link to travel to Southern Africa, the Department of Health said.

First two cases of new Covid variant detected in UK

Saturday 27 November 2021 14:30 , Chiara Giordano

Two infections with the new Omicron variant have been detected in the UK, it has been announced.

The cases – in Chelmsford and Nottingham – are “linked” and have been traced to southern Africa, health secretary Sajid Javid said, as he started sequence testing of other cases in the areas.

Our deputy political editor Rob Merrick has the full story:

First two cases of new Covid variant detected in UK

Boris Johnson to host press conference ‘to set out further measures'

Saturday 27 November 2021 14:36 , Chiara Giordano

Boris Johnson will host a press conference a 5pm today “to set out further measures”, health secretary Sajid Javid has said.

The prime minister will be joined by England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and the chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.

Asked what the public’s response should be, he said: “If anyone is sitting at home, thinking what can I do – get vaccinated.”

Opinion: South Africa is right to feel aggrieved over the West’s response to Omicron

Saturday 27 November 2021 15:00 , Chiara Giordano

Where South Africa has genuine cause for complaint, where the whole continent of Africa has cause for complaint as the air travel bans fly, is over the West’s previous hoarding of vaccines, and the slow and patchy supply to the rest of the world, James Moore writes in this opinion piece for Indy Voices.

South Africa is right to feel aggrieved over our response to Omicron | James Moore

One case of Omicron variant detected in Brentwood, Essex council confirms

Saturday 27 November 2021 15:26 , Chiara Giordano

Essex County Council has confirmed a single case of the new Omicron coronavirus variant has been detected in Brentwood.

A spokesperson said the case was connected to a second case in Nottingham, both involving travel to South Africa.

The council said in a statement: "We can confirm that a single case involving the new Covid-19 Variant of Concern (B 1.1.529), Omicron, has been identified in Brentwood.

"This is linked to a single case from Nottingham involving international travel to South Africa.

"We are working with regional and local public health officers who are assessing the situation.

"All close contacts of these individuals will be followed up and requested to isolate and get tested.

"The individuals who have so far tested positive, as well as all members of their households, are being re-tested and have been told to self-isolate while contact tracing is under way.

"While this work takes place, it is important that everyone takes sensible precautions - get a PCR test if you have symptoms, isolate when asked, wear a face-covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, ventilate rooms, get your vaccine and boosters as soon as you can."

Schools told to bring back on-site testing after Christmas holidays

Saturday 27 November 2021 16:14 , Chiara Giordano

Secondary schools should test pupils for coronavirus upon their return from the Christmas holidays, the government has said.

The Department for Education (DfE) emailed schools on Friday urging them order a sufficient amount of lateral flow tests by Tuesday to ensure they can test pupils once on-site after they come back in January.

Andy Gregory has more details:

Schools told to bring back on-site Covid testing after Christmas holidays

Union calls for compulsory face coverings to be introduced on public transport

Saturday 27 November 2021 16:16 , Chiara Giordano

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association has called for the immediate compulsory introduction of face coverings across the public transport system as a precaution against the new Omicron variant of Covid-19.

General secretary Manuel Cortes said: "It's vitally important immediate precautionary steps are taken to do all we can to combat the spread of the new Omicron variant.

"The government has already introduced travel restrictions to several countries but they need to go further. The government should move swiftly to bring in more measures until we know more about this new strain.

"One thing which would help is the compulsory introduction of face masks on all forms of public transport.

"Ministers must know this is a no brainier because it will help to protect not only the travelling public but those brave transport workers, our members, who have stood on the front line throughout what is an ongoing pandemic."

Watch: Omicron variant ‘unlikely’ to trigger new wave, says prof

Saturday 27 November 2021 16:31 , Sam Hancock

Timeline of Omicron discovery to arrival in UK

Saturday 27 November 2021 16:46 , Sam Hancock

Two cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant have now been detected in the UK.

Here, the PA news agency looks at how the variant went from an emerging cause for concern in southern parts of Africa to arriving in Britain.

23 November

UK scientists first become aware of the new variant after samples are uploaded to a coronavirus variant tracking website from South Africa, Hong Kong and then Botswana.

25 November

Downing Street says the variant will be kept under “close investigation”.

Health secretary Sajid Javid says early indicators show it may be more transmissible than the Delta variant and the vaccines may be less effective against it.

It is announced that from the next day, six southern African countries - South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Botswana - will be added to the travel red list, meaning flights are suspended.

People arriving before then are told to self-isolate at home and take a PCR test on day two and day eight. Anyone who arrived up to 10 days prior are also told to take tests.

Mr Javid said scientists are “deeply concerned” about the variant, and mentioned turning to Plan B of coronavirus restrictions.

26 November

Scientists describe the variant as “very serious”, with professor James Naismith, director of the Rosalind Franklin Institute, declaring it will “almost certainly” make the vaccines less effective.

Mr Javid updates MPs in the Commons on the variant called B.1.1.529, saying it “is highly likely that it has now spread to other countries”. He confirms the government is still following Plan A for managing Covid in the autumn and winter, but warns “if we need to go further, we will”.

Downing Street later urges those who have recently returned from one of the six southern African countries not to wait for NHS Test and Trace to contact them before getting tested.

Later in the day, it is designated a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation, and named Omicron.

Boris Johnson speaks to South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss the challenges of the variant.

27 November

Two cases of the Omicron Covid variant are discovered in Brentwood and in Nottingham, the Department of Health and Social Care reveals.

The individuals that tested positive, and all members of their households, are retested and told to self-isolate.

It is announced the PM will host a press conference in Downing Street alongside chief medical officer Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.

Boris Johnson to address nation at 5pm

Saturday 27 November 2021 17:02 , Sam Hancock

The PM will hold a Downing Street press conference in a few minutes.

He will be joined by Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, and chief scientific adviser Prof Patrick Vallance.

Watch live as PM holds briefing on Omicron Covid variant

Saturday 27 November 2021 17:06 , Sam Hancock

PM says variant spreads between vaccinated people

Saturday 27 November 2021 17:07 , Sam Hancock

Johnson says scientists believe Omicron spreads very rapidly and can spread between two people who are doubled vaccinated.

He adds that the new variant diverges from previous configurations of the virus and reduces protection from vaccines over time.

All UK arrivals to take PCRs again and isolate until negative

Saturday 27 November 2021 17:09 , Sam Hancock

Johnson says he wants to “stress” people will not be stopped from travelling, but that all arrivals to the UK have to take a PCR test by the second day of their arrival and self isolate until they have a negative result.

Face masks to be worn in shops and and on transport

Saturday 27 November 2021 17:12 , Sam Hancock

The PM announces a return to wearing face coverings in shops and on public transport, saying the rules on this “will be tightened”.

In cities such as London, this is already the norm on public transport, but Johnson suggests it will now be expected for all regions to do so in enclosed public spaces.

Calling the measures “temporary and precautionary”, Johnson says the government will “review them in three weeks”.

Whitty urges unvaccinated people to get a jab

Saturday 27 November 2021 17:14 , Sam Hancock

Johnson has handed over to Chris Whitty now, who is explaining a series of slides which show that cases rose again through November after a dip in October.

Hospitalisations and the number of deaths are down, though, he confirms.

Whitty urges unvaccinated people to go out and get a jab as soon as possible.

Face masks compulsory ‘on public transport and in shops’ - No 10

Saturday 27 November 2021 17:20 , Sam Hancock

Despite Johnson’s vague words on face covering, Downing Street has tweeted that they will in fact be compulsory again in certain settings.

PM ‘confident’ this Christmas will be better than last

Saturday 27 November 2021 17:22 , Sam Hancock

Taking questions from the media, Johnson says he is “confident that this Christmas will be considerably better than last Christmas” when asked about the possibility of another festive lockdown.

He also insists the UK is in a much stronger position than other parts of the world, largely due to its vaccine and booster rollout.

‘Inevitable’ new variant will spread across world, says Whitty

Saturday 27 November 2021 17:39 , Sam Hancock

Whitty says it is “inevitable” the Omicron variant will spread across the world over the next few days.

He says while it is clear Omicron is highly transmissible, it is not yet clear how effective the vaccine will be as protection against it, adding those who are vaccinated or receive the booster jab will be less likely to become seriously ill.

UK may need to ‘face up’ to more measures if variant worsens

Saturday 27 November 2021 17:41 , Sam Hancock

Sir Patrick Vallance adds that the UK may need to “face up” to the possibility of further action if the Omicron variant is very transmissible.

He tells the press conference: “I think we’ll get more information on transmissibility, we’ll get more information on the ability of the vaccines to protect against the virus, but that’s going to take a little bit of time.

“At the moment, the models are more ‘if it spreads very fast, of course it’s going to spread very fast and go into a lot of places, and if it spreads less fast it’s going to do so less’.

“But if it’s very transmissible and does cause big escape, then clearly that’s a major issue we have to face up to.

“But that isn’t what we know at the moment, we need to get that information.”

JCVI to decide if booster jabs will be extended to 18-and-overs

Saturday 27 November 2021 17:43 , Sam Hancock

On booster jabs, Whitty says the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) will now need to decide whether to extend the booster vaccine down to adults age 18.

He also said it would need to be decided if a second dose should be offered to children aged 12-15 who decided with their families to get the first dose of the vaccine.

PM defends government action on Omicron so far

Saturday 27 November 2021 17:47 , Sam Hancock

Asked by a reporter if the UK’s borders should have been closed sooner, Johnson says: “I don’t know how we could have acted faster” on border measures.

He says he found out about the Omicron variant on Thursday and that by Friday, the government was taking action to secure the nation.

On the new travel restrictions, Johnson says it “may sound tough, but that’s the way it’s got to be”.

Whitty asks Britons to ‘raise a glass’ to Covid scientists at Christmas

Saturday 27 November 2021 17:48 , Sam Hancock

Whitty finishes things off by imploring the British public to “raise a glass’’ this Christmas to the scientists who have produced Covid vaccines.

He tells the press conference: “If I can make one Christmas plea? It would be that when people raise their glasses this Christmas, they do so to the extraordinary scientists who produce the vaccines, the diagnostics, the drugs which will allow this Christmas, if possible, to be in a very different place to what it would have been without them.’’

And that’s it, the briefing is over.

Mask-wearing back for shops and transport, PM announces

Saturday 27 November 2021 17:49 , Sam Hancock

Here’s our deputy political editor Rob Merrick with his roundup of the PM’s remarks today.

Mask-wearing back for shops and transport and PCR tests for arrivals, PM announces

Watch: PCR tests for all arrivals, PM announces

Saturday 27 November 2021 17:53 , Sam Hancock

Further 39,500 Covid cases in UK

Saturday 27 November 2021 18:04 , Sam Hancock

Today’s Covid starts are in. The government said that, as of 9am on Saturday, there had been a further 39,567 lab-confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK.

Officials also said a further 131 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for the virus, bringing the UK total to 144,724.

Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show there have been 169,000 deaths registered in the UK where coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificate.

Mask rules ‘shouldn’t have been relaxed,’ says Burnham

Saturday 27 November 2021 18:16 , Sam Hancock

Greater Manchester’s mayor has responded to the new Covid measures, announced by Boris Johnson this evening, claiming they show certain rules should never “have been relaxed” in the first place.

Here’s Andy Burnham’s tweet:

Wales to follow England’s lead but criticises PM for easing rules

Saturday 27 November 2021 18:22 , Sam Hancock

The Welsh government has confirmed it will introduce the same measures on international travel as announced on Saturday by Boris Johnson, saying it had warned the PM over removing the restrictions.

“We have repeatedly raised our concerns with the UK government about its decision to relax international travel rules quickly, precisely because of the risk of introducing new variants into the UK. We also warned against the removal of PCR tests for returning travellers,” a spokesperson said.

“We will be introducing the same measures on international travel as those announced this afternoon by the UK government and the other devolved governments.

“The emergence of this new variant is a serious development in the ongoing pandemic and reinforces the need for everyone in Wales to get their vaccine or booster when offered, wear face coverings when necessary, and book a test if they develop symptoms.”

Welsh ministers will be meeting on Saturday night and will continue to monitor the situation over the weekend, the spokesperson added.

Talk returns to Plan B amid Omicron concerns

Saturday 27 November 2021 18:28 , Sam Hancock

As the FT’s Oliver Barnes sets out, Plan B restrictions might not even be enough to combat the potential impact of Omicron.

Shaun Lintern, soon-to-be health editor of The Sunday Times, adds:

Watch: PM announces boost to booster programme

Saturday 27 November 2021 18:35 , Sam Hancock

Clubs and bars ‘encouraged’ no Covid measures against them

Saturday 27 November 2021 18:45 , Sam Hancock

Let’s get some industry reaction to the government’s new Covid measures.

Michael Kill, CEO of the Nighttime Industries Association, has responded to the hospitality sector not being involved in the list of spaces to make face masks mandatory.

He said:

“The reported detection of the new variant in the UK is hugely concerning.

“We are encouraged by the government’s decision not to mitigate against hospitality and night time economy settings, with the additional measures presented by the PM, including wearing masks within shops and on public transport in England, coupled with more stringent border controls for visitors entering the country as a first response.

“Although somewhat tentative about the coming weeks, it needs to be clear that the sector is still extremely fragile and will not survive further trade inhibiting restrictions or a potential lockdown.

“The current baseline mitigation within businesses across this industry has been extremely effective. Coupled with the vaccination programme, we must remain confident that we are in a stronger position to deal with variants than many other countries across the world.”

‘Beggars belief’ new rules not publicly available hours after presser

Saturday 27 November 2021 19:03 , Sam Hancock

Simon Calder, our travel correspondent, reports:

The current requirement for testing after arrival in the UK has become something of a joke, with many stories of postal tests or results not arriving or taking weeks.

Bringing back PCR tests, and making quarantine mandatory until the result is known, is understandable.

But it beggars belief that the new rules – and in particular the starting time – are still not publicly available two hours after the prime minister’s statement.

Across Europe and the world, thousands of travellers are preparing to return to the UK and they currently have no idea which set of rules to follow.

Schools told to bring back on-site testing post-Christmas

Saturday 27 November 2021 19:13 , Sam Hancock

Secondary schools should test pupils for coronavirus on their return from the Christmas holidays, the government has said.

The Department for Education (DfE) emailed schools on Friday urging them order a sufficient number of lateral flow tests by Tuesday to ensure that they can test pupils on site after they come back in January.

The move is necessary to “reduce transmission after a period of social mixing”, the email said, also asking school leaders to order additional tests so that pupils can continue to test at home.

Andy Gregory has the full report:

Schools told to bring back on-site Covid testing after Christmas holidays

Mayor of London welcomes new Covid measures

Saturday 27 November 2021 19:25 , Sam Hancock

Sadiq Khan has said the government’s decision to impose tighter restrictions on face masks is “welcome”, after London decided to make face masks mandatory on public transport months ago.

“Today’s announcement that face coverings will be compulsory on public transport nationwide, as they already are across TfL, is welcome,” the city’s mayor tweeted.

“Evidence shows they help stop the virus spreading, and this is a measure I’ve repeatedly urged the government to take.”

Watch: Omicron variant may already be in the US, warns Fauci

Saturday 27 November 2021 19:35 , Sam Hancock

Scotland adopts border restrictions set out by PM

Saturday 27 November 2021 19:45 , Sam Hancock

Scotland will follow in England’s footsteps of introducing new border restrictions after two cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant were detected in the UK, Humza Yousaf has said.

No cases of the new variant have been confirmed in Scotland to date, Scotland’s health secretary added.

Mr Yousaf said confirmation of the Omicron cases in the UK are “a stark reminder that we must not drop our guard”.

Following discussions with UK health secretary Sajid Javid and the other devolved administrations, he said Scotland is aligning with the new border restrictions being introduced by the UK government which will require fully vaccinated arrivals to take a PCR test within two days of arrival and to self-isolate until a negative result is received.

He said the measures will be introduced “as soon as possible” and kept under constant review.

The Scottish government will also adopt the expanded red list of countries identified by Boris Johnson’s government. “Until more is known we must adopt the precautionary principle and do everything we can to minimise the risk of spreading infection,” Mr Yousaf said.

Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, tweeted:

UK ‘added to Switzerland’s red list’ amid Omicron cases

Saturday 27 November 2021 19:51 , Sam Hancock

Policy adviser Paul Charles reports:

‘Disgrace’: Travel sector reacts to border measures announced by PM

Saturday 27 November 2021 20:00 , Sam Hancock

Let’s get some more industry reaction to today’s announcement, this time from the travel sector.

Abta, the travel association, has been speaking to our travel correspondent Simon Calder. A spokesperson told him:

“The decision to require all arrivals to take a PCR test and self-isolate until a negative result is returned is a huge blow for travel businesses, many of whom were only just starting to get back on their feet after 20 months of severe restrictions.

“These changes will add cost to people’s holidays which will undoubtedly impact consumer demand and hold back the industry’s recovery, so it’s vital that this decision is kept under careful review and restrictions are lifted promptly if it becomes clear there is not a risk to the UK vaccination programme.”

Clive Wratten, chief executive of the Business Travel Association, said the measure was an overreaction. “It’s urgent that international protocols are introduced without delay to save lives, save economies and save our futures,” he said.

Meanwhile, veteran tour guide and photographer Paul Goldstein told Simon he wasn’t happy about the expansion of the UK red list. He said:

“It is a disgrace, penalising a country for their transparency and expertise by throwing them into the poor house.

“The list is now 10 countries, all of them utterly mystified and distraught by this persecution. European cases are rising, southern Africans not so, but they are the ones butchered.

“Travel apartheid continues to destroy economies as well as chucking the UK travel industry to the wolves.”

How the return of PCR tests and self-isolation for travel will work

Saturday 27 November 2021 20:15 , Sam Hancock

PCR tests are back for travellers arriving in the UK. Weeks after rules were eased to allow cheaper and faster lateral flow (antigen) tests, the government has tightened the rules once again in response to the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus.

At the same time, the previously dormant red list has been expanded and now contains 10 southern African nations.

But, what does it all mean? Our travel correspondent Simon Calder has the key questions and answers.

How the return of PCR tests and self-isolation for international travel will work

Watch: Mask-wearing back for shops and transport, PM tells public

Saturday 27 November 2021 20:30 , Sam Hancock

Private testing market condemned as ‘not fit for purpose’

Saturday 27 November 2021 20:45 , Sam Hancock

Some more expert commentary now, this time from Which? travel editor Rory Boland.

He said in a statement:

“Travellers will understand the rationale behind the government’s decision to reintroduce mandatory PCR tests for those returning to England.

“However, as Which? research has consistently shown, the private testing market isn’t fit for purpose - with serious implications not just for travellers but public health more generally. Testing firms have struggled to provide tests on time over the past year, so it is hard to have confidence they will be able to cope with this spike in demand at short notice.

“Now that the government has taken the decision to make PCR tests mandatory, it must take steps to properly regulate the marketplace and implement the CMA’s recommendations so that consumers can have confidence they are booking with a provider they can rely on.”

Everything we know about the new Omicron variant

Saturday 27 November 2021 21:18 , Sam Hancock

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has named the new B.1.1529 coronavirus variant “Omicron”, designating it as a variant of concern just weeks after it was first detected.

The announcement came on Friday amid growing concerns that it is highly transmissible and could reduce the efficacy of vaccines. However, given that Omicron only emerged recently, scientists believe it could take a few months before we have a more complete understanding of the scale of the threat it poses.

What is certain is that this variant, which descends from the B.1.1 lineage, is “unprecedented” and “very unusual” in the number of its mutations.

But, what else do we know? Eleanor Sly and Emily Atkinson investigate.

Everything we know about the new ‘Omicron’ variant

Virologist says ‘extremely transmissible’ Omicron a concern

Saturday 27 November 2021 21:37 , Sam Hancock

A Belgian virologist has described the trend of Omicron taking over the Delta variant of Covid as worrying.

Asked how transmissible the new variant is, Marc Van Ranst told BBC News this evening it was important to look at the situation in South Africa.

When you look at what’s happening in SA – specifically the Johannesburg region – this new Covid variant has already managed to replace the extremely transmissible Delta variant,” he said, “and if it’s managed to do that in one place, it can probably do that all over the world.”

He went on: “And that essentially means you’re replacing a highly transmissible virus with an extremely transmissible virus, which is worrisome.”

Moving on to the variant’s deadliness, Mr Ranst said it was too early to compare Omicron to variants such as Delta.

Asked if the variant might be less deadly because it is so infectious, he said: “That is exactly what we hope.”

However, he acknowledged more research needs to be done before that can be known. “If it’s as pathogenic as delta, though, we could be in a mess,” Mr Ranst said.

PM’s ‘precautionary’ restrictions dismissed as ‘Plan B Lite’

Saturday 27 November 2021 21:37 , Sam Hancock

Measures to deter the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus have been dismissed by scientists as “Plan B Lite” amid warnings that the new mutation is far more transmissible than earlier ones.

Boris Johnson responded to the arrival of Omicron in England by bringing back restrictions including the wearing of mask in shops and on public transport, 10-day isolation for contacts of variant cases and mandatory PCR tests for international arrivals.

Professor Susan Michie, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said the measures were “Plan B Lite when we should have had Plan B Plus”.

Liam James has the full report:

Boris Johnson’s Omicron restrictions dismissed by scientists as ‘Plan B Lite’

Watch: Pharmaceutical firms claim they can tweak vaccines to fight Omicron strain

Saturday 27 November 2021 21:58 , Sam Hancock

Approved anti-viral pill needs ‘rethink’ due to Omicron variant

Saturday 27 November 2021 22:20 , Sam Hancock

An anti-viral pill for Covid-19, which was approved for use in the UK on 4 November, needs a “rethink” because of the Omicron variant, England’s chief medical officer has said.

Molnupiravir, which can be taken at home, is for people who have had a positive Covid test and have at least one risk factor for developing severe illness, such as obesity, being over the age of 60, diabetes or heart disease.

Professor Chris Whitty said its rollout needs to be reconsidered to make sure it is targeted “in the right direction”.

“On the anti-virals, we are going to have to do a bit of a rethink on the basis of this new variant, just to be confident we’ve got the right indications from it,” he told a Downing Street press conference earlier.

“There’s a variety of ways you could use it in different ways, and what we need to make sure is whatever stock we’ve got of these, what appear to be highly effective drugs, that we use in the most effective way and for the right people.

“Where you are in the pathway right from the very beginning... working out their place, we do need to think through and I think we probably need to do a rethink of it just to make sure with the new variant, we’re targeting in the right direction.”

The drug, from Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), works by interfering with the virus’ replication and prevents it from multiplying by keeping levels low in the body.

An undated image of anti-viral pill Molnupiravir (Merck & Co)
An undated image of anti-viral pill Molnupiravir (Merck & Co)

Watch: Omicron variant may already be in US, says Fauci

Saturday 27 November 2021 22:36 , Sam Hancock

Spain closes border to unvaccinated Britons

Saturday 27 November 2021 23:00 , Sam Hancock

Spain has announced that as of next month, British tourists will only be admitted into the country if they can show proof of a Covid-19 vaccine.

It comes amid tightening travel restrictions due to the new Omicron Covid variant, which is fast spreading across Europe.

Until now, British travellers could gain entry into Spain by showing a Covid vaccine certificate or via a negative PCR test result taken up to 72 hours before arriving.

“The appearance of new variants causing [Covid] obliges an increase in restrictions” with regard to people from the UK, the announcement in Spain’s Bulletin of State said.

It will come into force from next Wednesday (1 December).

ICYMI: Expert says Omicron ‘unlikely’ to trigger new Covid wave in UK

Saturday 27 November 2021 23:14 , Sam Hancock

A vaccine expert has said it is “extremely unlikely” that the new Omicron variant will trigger a major new wave of the Covid pandemic in the UK, despite the sudden return of travel restrictions.

Professor Andrew Pollard revealed his “optimism” that current vaccines will continue to prevent serious disease – and suggested Omicron will not outrun the dominant Delta variant in Europe, writes our deputy political editor Rob Merrick.

Prof Pollard, the director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, said it is “too early” to be certain whether the new variant will be able to evade current vaccinations, something unlikely to be known for 2-3 weeks. But he said most of the mutations in Omicron are in the same parts of the spike protein as those in the other variants that have emerged.

“That tells you that, despite those mutations existing in other variants, the vaccines have continued to prevent serious disease as we’ve moved through Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta,” he said.

Omicron variant ‘extremely unlikely’ to new Covid wave in UK, says vaccine expert

Eight learnings from Omicron press conference earlier

Saturday 27 November 2021 23:31 , Sam Hancock

Boris Johnson was joined by chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific adviser, for a Downing Street press conference on Saturday.

The trio discusses new measures following the emergence of the Omicron coronavirus variant in the UK.

Here’s the key takeaways from that 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.

  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.

Additional reporting by PA

ICYMI: Ashworth outlines steps needed to ‘get ahead of Omicron’

Saturday 27 November 2021 23:44 , Sam Hancock

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth earlier outlined what he believes are the necessary steps to tackle the new Omicron Covid variant.

His advice included measures such a decent sick pay to encourage those with symptoms to stay at home, and to ensure enclosed spaces such as schools have the necessary ventilation.

The Labour MP is currently in self-isolation, having tested positive for Covid himself on Friday.

Watch: Johnson announces PCR tests for all UK arrivals

Saturday 27 November 2021 23:51 , Sam Hancock

Everything we know about the new Omicron variant

00:10 , Sam Hancock

World Health Organisation (WHO) officials have named the new B.1.1529 coronavirus variant “Omicron”, designating it as a variant of concern just weeks after it was first detected.

The announcement came on Friday amid growing concerns that it is highly transmissible and could reduce the efficacy of vaccines. However, given that Omicron only emerged recently, scientists believe it could take a few months before we have a more complete understanding of the scale of the threat it poses.

What is certain is that this variant, which descends from the B.1.1 lineage, is “unprecedented” and “very unusual” in the number of its mutations.

But, what else do we know? Eleanor Sly and Emily Atkinson investigate.

Everything we know about the new ‘Omicron’ variant

Brazil imposes further travel restrictions

00:30 , Sam Hancock

Over to Brazil now, where health regulator Anvisa has recommended that already-imposed travel restrictions related to the Omicron variant should be widened to include Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.

The recommendation comes a day after Brazil shut its borders to travellers arriving from South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Anvisa’s recommendation will need to be implemented by the government, as the regulator does not have the authority to enforce such travel restrictions.

Spain bans non-vaccinated Britons as Israel shuts borders to all visitors

00:50 , Sam Hancock

Following my earlier post (11pm), here’s our deputy news editor Alastair Jamieson with more on the countries tightening their borders.

Only fully-vaccinated British tourists will be admitted to Spain from Wednesday as countries around the world tighten border restrictions amid concern at the new Omicron coronavirus variant.

Until now, Britons could enter Spain by showing a negative PCR test result taken up to 72 hours before arriving, but from 1 December they will also need proof of a Covid-19 vaccination.

The variant, which has also been detected in Belgium, Botswana, Hong Kong, Italy, Germany and Britain, has sparked global concern and a wave of travel curbs, although epidemiologists say such restrictions may be too late to stop Omicron from circulating globally.

It came as Switzerland imposed a 10-day quarantine on travellers arriving from Britain, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Egypt and Malawi.

Spain bans non-vaccinated Britons as Israel shuts borders to all visitors

Watch: Omicron variant ‘unlikely’ to trigger new wave in UK, prof says

01:10 , Sam Hancock