UK takes new measures to slow Omicron coronavirus variant

LONDON, Nov 27 (Reuters) – Britain introduced new measures on Saturday to strive to slow the unfold of the newly recognized Omicron coronavirus variant and a prime health official stated there was a “reasonable chance” that vaccines may very well be much less efficient towards it.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated arrivals from all international locations would have to self-isolate till receiving a unfavorable end result from a PCR take a look at, that face masks have to be worn in retail settings and it was time to step up booster jabs.

“We need to buy time for our scientists to understand exactly what we are dealing with,” he informed a information convention.

Johnson stated those that had come into contact with individuals testing constructive for a suspected case of Omicron would have to self-isolate for 10 days and that face masks have to be worn in outlets and on public transport however not eating places and pubs in England.

England’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty informed the identical information convention there was an inexpensive likelihood that the newly recognized variant may very well be much less simple to sort out with vaccines.

“There is a reasonable chance that at least there will be some degree of vaccine escape with this variant,” he stated.

Health minister Sajid Javid confirmed earlier on Saturday the primary two instances of the new variant in Britain, saying they had been linked to one another and linked to journey to southern Africa.

The two people and all members of their households had been being re-tested and informed to self-isolate whereas additional testing and phone tracing was achieved.

England can even add Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola to its journey “red list” from 0400 GMT on Sunday, that means British and Irish residents who arrive within the nation should quarantine in a government-approved resort for 10 days. Non-residents will probably be refused entry.

That checklist already contained Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Reporting by Costas Pitas, Elizabeth Piper and William Schomberg;
Editing by Mark Heinrich, Nick Macfie and Frances Kerry

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