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Covid live: Boris Johnson holding press conference after two cases of Omicron variant detected in UK
Covid live: PM announces new measures 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
Masks mandatory in shops and on public transport; PCR tests reintroduced for travellers to UK
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.
On reasons to be more optimistic about dealing with the new variant, Sir Patrick Vallance said we now have a “changeable platform” for vaccines” and antiviral drugs coming along compared with a few months ago.
In response to a question about why he is not implementing further plan B measures such as telling people to work from home, Johnson cited the differences between the Delta and Omicron variant and its approach to “slow the seeding” through the border measures being introduced, accelerating the booster programme and giving scientists more time to understand the variant.
Johnson has clarified that people must now wear face covering in shops and public transport with the health secretary to provide more details.
On the new variant, Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific adviser, said: “The reason this one is worrying is the combination of transmissibility and the potential for some degree of escape from vaccines because of the number of changes.”
Johnson insists the UK is in a much stronger position, largely due to the vaccine and booster rollout.
On the ramifications for Christmas plans, he said he is “absolutely confident” that this year’s Christmas will be considerably better than last year’s festive period.
Johnson acknowledges: “We don’t know how effective our vaccines will be” against the new variant.
“But we have good reasons to believe they will provide at least some measure of protection,” he added.
Prof Chris Whitty is explaining a series of slides that show cases rose in November after a dip in October.
Hospitalisations and the number of deaths are down.
Johnson said there will be ramping up of mask wearing in shops and indoor settings.
All these measures are “temporary and precautionary” and will be reviewed in three weeks, he added.
The prime minister said the health secretary is asking scientists to consider giving boosters to more people and reducing the gap from when an individual has their second dose.
Johnson said all close contacts of a positive Omicron case must self-isolate for 10 days regardless of their own jab status.
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.
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.
Johnson said it does appear that Omicron spreads very rapidly and can spread between two people who are double 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’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.
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.
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.
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.
He wrote:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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”.
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.
