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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/nov/27/covid-news-live-omicron-variant-spreads-to-europe-countries-rush-to-impose-travel-bans-on-southern-africa
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Covid live: Boris Johnson holding press conference after two cases of Omicron variant detected in UK | |
(32 minutes later) | |
61 travellers from South Africa test positive for Covid in Netherlands; suspected Omicron cases in Germany and Czech Republic; unequal sharing of Covid vaccines likely to lead to more variants, thinktank warns | 61 travellers from South Africa test positive for Covid in Netherlands; suspected Omicron cases in Germany and Czech Republic; unequal sharing of Covid vaccines likely to lead to more variants, thinktank warns |
Johnson has stressed people can continue to travel but arrivals have to take a PCR test by the second day of their arrival and self isolate until they have a negative result. | |
He added that the new variant diverges from previous configurations of the virus and reduces protection from vaccines over time. | |
Johnson said it does appear that Omnicron spreads very rapidly and can spread between two people who are doubled vaccinated. | |
The UK’s prime minister Boris Johnson is due to give a live press conference now on the latest on the new variant which you can follow in the blog. | |
The UK has recorded a further 131 coronavirus-related deaths and 39,567 cases in the latest 24-hour period, government figures show. | |
After the Omicron variant was detected in Germany in a passenger arriving from South Africa, Peter Tinnemann, head of the Frankfurt Health Authority, said: “Our current routine procedures enable us, together with Frankfurt airport, to quickly implement the necessary measures to minimise the risk of spreading.” | |
The Czech Republic’s president, Miloš Zeman, left a Prague hospital on Saturday to name the country’s new prime minister a day later, his spokesman told AFP. | |
Zeman is due to appoint Petr Fiala, head of the right-wing Civic Democratic party, as prime minister at his Lany chateau residence on Sunday morning. | |
However, it is still not clear how the ceremony will proceed as the 77-year-old Zeman has to isolate for two weeks under health ministry rules. | However, it is still not clear how the ceremony will proceed as the 77-year-old Zeman has to isolate for two weeks under health ministry rules. |
Zeman went to hospital on 10 October. He was released last Thursday but returned to hospital on the same day after testing positive for Covid-19. | |
Essex county council in England has confirmed it is aware of a case of the new Omicron variant: | |
Here are more details on the UK government adding four more countries to its red list after two cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant were detected. | Here are more details on the UK government adding four more countries to its red list after two cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant were detected. |
Scientists in the UK are responding to the news that two cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in Brentwood and in Nottingham. | Scientists in the UK are responding to the news that two cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in Brentwood and in Nottingham. |
Infectious diseases expert Dr Neil Stone tweeted that it was no surprise that the variant had been found in the UK, but noted travels bans might not be “completely useless” as both confirmed cases were linked to travel in southern Africa. | Infectious diseases expert Dr Neil Stone tweeted that it was no surprise that the variant had been found in the UK, but noted travels bans might not be “completely useless” as both confirmed cases were linked to travel in southern Africa. |
He wrote: | He wrote: |
That’s it from me, Léonie Chao-Fong, for today. I’m handing over to my colleague Tom Ambrose. | That’s it from me, Léonie Chao-Fong, for today. I’m handing over to my colleague Tom Ambrose. |
Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he “would not be surprised” if the Omicron variant was already in the United States. | Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he “would not be surprised” if the Omicron variant was already in the United States. |
Speaking to NBC News today, the president’s chief medical adviser said there was yet to be a confirmed case of the variant in the US but added: | Speaking to NBC News today, the president’s chief medical adviser said there was yet to be a confirmed case of the variant in the US but added: |
Singapore has recorded 1,761 new cases, up from 1,090 the previous day. | Singapore has recorded 1,761 new cases, up from 1,090 the previous day. |
A further six deaths were also reported, compared with three on Friday. The latest figures take the total number of fatalities in the country of 5.7 million people to 690. | A further six deaths were also reported, compared with three on Friday. The latest figures take the total number of fatalities in the country of 5.7 million people to 690. |
England is to add four more countries to its travel “red list”, health officials have announced, after two cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant were detected in the UK. | England is to add four more countries to its travel “red list”, health officials have announced, after two cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant were detected in the UK. |
Following fresh advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), from 4am on Sunday Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola will join the red list. Travellers who have returned from these four countries in the last 10 days must isolate and get a PCR test, officials said. | Following fresh advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), from 4am on Sunday Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola will join the red list. Travellers who have returned from these four countries in the last 10 days must isolate and get a PCR test, officials said. |
The Guardian understands the UKHSA is now following up recent arrivals from these countries. Ministers are not ruling out adding further countries to the red list. | The Guardian understands the UKHSA is now following up recent arrivals from these countries. Ministers are not ruling out adding further countries to the red list. |
Sajid Javid, the health secretary, said: | Sajid Javid, the health secretary, said: |
From 4am on Sunday non-UK and Irish residents who have been in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola in the previous 10 days will be refused entry into England, officials said. This does not apply to those who have stayed airside and only transited through any of these countries while changing flights. | From 4am on Sunday non-UK and Irish residents who have been in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola in the previous 10 days will be refused entry into England, officials said. This does not apply to those who have stayed airside and only transited through any of these countries while changing flights. |
UK and Irish residents arriving from 4am on Sunday must isolate in a government-approved facility for 10 days. During their stay, they will be required to take a PCR test on day 2 and day 8. | UK and Irish residents arriving from 4am on Sunday must isolate in a government-approved facility for 10 days. During their stay, they will be required to take a PCR test on day 2 and day 8. |
South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia were added to the red list on Thursday and passengers arriving in the UK from these countries from 4am on Sunday will be required to book and pay for a government-approved hotel quarantine for 10 days. | South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia were added to the red list on Thursday and passengers arriving in the UK from these countries from 4am on Sunday will be required to book and pay for a government-approved hotel quarantine for 10 days. |
Asked if the UK public should now expect changes “as we head into Christmas”, the health secretary, Sajid Javid, said: | Asked if the UK public should now expect changes “as we head into Christmas”, the health secretary, Sajid Javid, said: |
Boris Johnson is due to take part in a news conference at 5pm with the chief medical officer for England, Prof Chris Whitty, and the UK’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, “to set out further measures”. | Boris Johnson is due to take part in a news conference at 5pm with the chief medical officer for England, Prof Chris Whitty, and the UK’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, “to set out further measures”. |
When asked what the public’s response should be, Javid replied: | When asked what the public’s response should be, Javid replied: |
Four more countries are being added to the UK’s travel “red list” from 4am on Sunday: Angola, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia. | Four more countries are being added to the UK’s travel “red list” from 4am on Sunday: Angola, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia. |
Sajid Javid, the UK health secretary, said: | Sajid Javid, the UK health secretary, said: |