Covid crackdown creates festive fear after Omicron cases are discovered in UK

Last night, compulsory mask-wearing was resumed in an attempt to save Christmas Day from a super-mutant Coronavirus.

Boris Johnson ordered this move after two cases of Omicron variant, a fast-growing Omicron variant, were discovered in the UK.

Mr Johnson stopped short of imposing a devastating shutdown of pubs and restaurants in the run-up to Christmas

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Johnson didn’t order the closing of all pubs and restaurants during Christmas.Credit: Getty

He also encouraged people to get booster jabs. “It’s more vital than ever.”

Tomorrow, shops, trains, and taxis in England will require you to wear a mask.

After two super-strain cases were discovered in Britain, rules regarding overseas travel and self isolation have been tightened.

Scientists will examine how the booster program can be extended to include children as young 18 years old.

Omicron — discovered only days ago in southern Africa — has been declared the worst variant yet by one expert, while there are fears it might reduce vaccine protection over time.

The PM’s measures, outlined at a Downing Street briefing, aim to slow down its spread until scientists know just how dangerous it is.

Johnson, however, did not force a shutdown of restaurants and bars in the days leading up to Christmas.

He said that the public should follow the rules and get their shots, so there won’t be any need to have another last-gasp holiday lockdown.

The PM declared “I’m absolutely confident this Christmas will be considerably better than the last.”

The new restrictions that can be put in place without a Commons vote include:

  • TEN days’ enforced self-isolation for all contacts of those who test positive — whether or not they have been double-jabbed, and;
  • ALLUK citizens must pass a PCR test within 48hrs and then self-isolate until they get a negative result.

Scientists will have time to study the variant over three weeks while they set up the measures.

The situation will be reassessed on December 18 — almost a year to the day that the PM announced a last-minute ban on Christmas family get-togethers.

Despite these assurances, the mere thought of fresh Covid curbs is enough to send shockwaves through an industry that saw its takings drop by almost 80 percent during the festive season last year.

Johnson did not give any guarantees. However, he said that there would not be a lockdown like last year and that no one was being asked to work from their homes.

He also announced that he would increase the speed of the jabs program.

He asked the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to reduce the time it takes to receive a booster vaccine, which is currently at six months. It should be reduced to five months.

Experts should also be consulted to determine if the third shot could be extended to 18- to 39-year olds.

Chris Whitty, chief medical officer, said that the JCVI would need to decide whether the booster vaccine should be extended to individuals over 18.

They will now examine the possibility of offering the second dose to 12- and 15-year-olds.

Prof Whitty stated: “It’s pretty clear if we are vaccinated, and in particular get the booster, we will be in a stronger overall position.”

Mr Johnson also stressed it was more vital than ever to get your jabs — and a booster when it is your turn. He said: “We don’t yet exactly know how effective our vaccines will be against Omicron, but we have good reasons for believing they will provide at least some measure of protection.

“And if you are boosted your response is likely to be stronger.

“So it’s more vital than ever that people get their jabs, and we get those boosters into arms as fast as possible. So from today we’re going to boost the booster campaign.”

Johnson emphasised that the border, masks, and isolation action was preventive in the context of the December 18, 18 review.

He added: “At that point we should have much greater information about the continuing effectiveness of vaccines.

“I very much hope that we will find that we continue to be in a strong position, and we can lift these measures again.

“But right now this is the responsible course of action, to slow down this new variant, and to maximise our defences, so we protect the gains we have worked so hard for and so that we can continue to save lives.”

Professor Sir Andrew Pollard from the Oxford Vaccine Group stated that Omicron does not cause more serious illnesses.

He stressed: “We don’t yet know about its propensity to spread, particularly in a highly vaccinated population, and we don’t think it will lead to a sudden rise in severe disease because the characteristics are so similar to the previous variants.”

Yesterday, four additional African countries were added as travel destinations to the red list, bringing the total up to ten within three days.

Within hours, two cases of the new variant were found in Britain and the swift action was taken.

After being infected, one person in Brentwood, Essex and one in Nottingham were found, they were directed to self-isolation.

Sajid Javid, Health Secretary, warned of grave consequences “This is a real reminder that this pandemic is far from over.”

Genomic sequencing was used by scientists to confirm that the cases are related and involved travel in one of the affected countries.

Johnson, however, insisted: “We are not going to stop people travelling, I want to stress that.”

Angola Mozambique Malawi Zambia and Zambia were added to the red-list for additional restrictions.

They are now part of South Africa, Botswana and Lesotho.

Yesterday there were 39,567 cases and 131 deaths recorded in the UK — down from 50,091 cases and 160 deaths on Friday.

Boris Johnson has introduced new crackdown rules

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Boris Johnson introduced new rules to crack down on corruption
There are already two known Omicron cases in the UK

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There are two Omicron cases already in the UK
Brits have been ordered to wear face masks in shops and on public transport

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Brits are required to wear masks on public transport and in shops.Credit: AFP
The Omicron variant has spread to the UK just days after it was discovered in Africa

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Just days after being discovered in Africa, the Omicron variant spreads to the UK.
Boris Johnson ‘absolutely confident this Christmas will be better than last’Fears of a new Omicron Covid variant

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