UK Implements New Travel Restrictions Due To New Omicron Variant

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The UK has applied a sequence of latest restrictions for vacationers because of the emergence of a brand new Omicron Covid-19 variant. In including the brand new entry necessities to vacationers arriving from overseas, the UK is hoping to not solely maintain its folks protected and guarded in opposition to the virus, however to stop importing extra instances of the Omicron variant from overseas just like the nation skilled with the unfold of the Delta variant final summer time.

The UK isn’t the one nation implementing restrictions adjustments within the wake of the brand new menace, with a number of different nations additionally placing into place strict measures akin to banning flights from sure nations. Right here’s a have a look at the brand new restrictions that the UK might be implementing, how they differ from the nation’s present Covid-19 associated insurance policies plus an outline of the Covid-19 state of affairs within the nation at current.

New UK Restrictions – Info For Vacationers

Shortly after information was printed concerning the prevalence of the Omicron variant, the UK was amongst the primary nations to react. On Friday, the UK positioned six African nations – South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini – on its travel red list, in addition to briefly suspending flights from arriving from these nations. Different nations adopted go well with with journey bans of their very own, including the US, as nations scrambled to comprise instances of the brand new virus variant.

Nonetheless, the UK will not be stopping with only a flight ban and transferring nations onto a pink listing. The nation has determined to implement a series of other restrictions to mitigate the chance journey may need to the protection of the inhabitants, together with extra stringent testing insurance policies. The transfer comes as two instances of the variant have been detected within the UK, each of that are stated to be linked with journey in southern Africa.

Whereas worldwide arrivals had beforehand solely needed to take a fast take a look at – also called an ATK take a look at – on day two of their time within the UK, vacationers will now need to go for a PCR take a look at as a substitute on day two. The transfer will apply to all worldwide arrivals – no matter their vaccination standing or the place they’ve flown to the UK from – and vacationers should self-isolate till they obtain a destructive take a look at end result. While PCR assessments present extra correct outcomes, they’re additionally costlier than ATK assessments.

Along with the change in testing necessities, those that have been in touch with an individual who has examined optimistic for the Omicron variant should additionally self-isolate, no matter their vaccination standing. Those that have been uncovered might be contacted by the UK’s NHS Monitor and Hint facility to be informed of their subsequent steps. As of but, there isn’t a details about how lengthy these uncovered to the variant should isolate for.

Houses of Parliament with Big Ben and double-decker bus on Westminster bridge at sunset, London, UK

The third important change is that the carrying of face coverings when on public transport and in outlets is ready to be made obligatory as soon as extra, although there may be an exception to this rule for companies within the hospitality commerce. Every of those adjustments have been introduced by the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, in a press convention. They are going to be reviewed after a interval of three weeks.

The UK is at the moment having bother battling the unfold of Covid-19, with the nation registering a rolling seven day common of greater than 43,000 instances, and greater than 100 deaths. Round 68% of the nation is totally vaccinated, with 1 / 4 of the inhabitants having acquired a booster shot in opposition to the virus.