This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59470344

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Covid: Face masks rules return in England amid Omicron spread Covid: Face masks rules return in England amid Omicron spread
(32 minutes later)
Face coverings have become mandatory again on public transport and shops in England in an effort to slow the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant.Face coverings have become mandatory again on public transport and shops in England in an effort to slow the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant.
People arriving in the UK from abroad will now also have to take a PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.People arriving in the UK from abroad will now also have to take a PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
It comes after 14 cases of the new variant were detected in the UK.It comes after 14 cases of the new variant were detected in the UK.
Boris Johnson is expected to set out plans for the booster jab programme in England at news conference later.Boris Johnson is expected to set out plans for the booster jab programme in England at news conference later.
On Monday the government announced a major expansion of the booster jab rollout as part of efforts to help stop a potential wave of infections. They are to be offered to all over-18s in the UK, while children aged 12 to 15 will be invited for a second jab.On Monday the government announced a major expansion of the booster jab rollout as part of efforts to help stop a potential wave of infections. They are to be offered to all over-18s in the UK, while children aged 12 to 15 will be invited for a second jab.
More local pharmacies could be used as part of the rollout and it is likely that there will be some prioritisation to ensure the vulnerable receive their top-up shots first - as with the original scheme.More local pharmacies could be used as part of the rollout and it is likely that there will be some prioritisation to ensure the vulnerable receive their top-up shots first - as with the original scheme.
What Covid rules are being toughened?What Covid rules are being toughened?
How worrying is the new Covid variant?How worrying is the new Covid variant?
How do you detect Omicron?How do you detect Omicron?
Three more Omicron cases have been found in Scotland and Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said it is expected cases of the new variant will continue to rise in the coming days.Three more Omicron cases have been found in Scotland and Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said it is expected cases of the new variant will continue to rise in the coming days.
Early evidence suggests Omicron - first found in southern Africa - has a higher re-infection risk. But scientists say it will take about three weeks before it is known how the variant impacts on the effectiveness of vaccines.Early evidence suggests Omicron - first found in southern Africa - has a higher re-infection risk. But scientists say it will take about three weeks before it is known how the variant impacts on the effectiveness of vaccines.
The changes to the rules began at 04:00 GMT.The changes to the rules began at 04:00 GMT.
Another change, which has already come into effect, requires all contacts of suspected Omicron cases to self-isolate for 10 days, even if they are fully vaccinated.Another change, which has already come into effect, requires all contacts of suspected Omicron cases to self-isolate for 10 days, even if they are fully vaccinated.
Care Minister Gillian Keegan called for the British public to be "sensible" and wear a mask.
In response to supermarket bosses saying they would not tell their staff to make customers wear masks she told BBC Breakfast that it was "down to individuals" to do the right thing.
While it is still unclear the impact the new variant could have she said people should continue with their Christmas plans but be "cautious".
The government says it will review the changes again in three weeks' time and the health secretary told MPs they would be given a chance to debate and vote on the rule changes on masks and self-isolation.The government says it will review the changes again in three weeks' time and the health secretary told MPs they would be given a chance to debate and vote on the rule changes on masks and self-isolation.
He said: "If it emerges that this variant is no more dangerous than the Delta variant, then we won't keep measures in place for a day longer than necessary. Scientists are agreed accelerating the booster programme is key to combatting Omicron if the worst fears are realised.
"Our experience of fighting this virus has shown us it's best to act decisively and swiftly when we see a potential threat. Which is why we're building our defences and putting these measures in place without delay." That job though now lies in the hands of the NHS.
And the challenge that it faces is that the infrastructure that was so successful in delivering the jabs in the first half of the year has been scaled back.
Three-quarters of vaccinations were delivered by GP-led teams. But many of those GP and staff have now returned to their day jobs, focussing on the flu vaccine rollout and their patients.
Around 50 mass vaccination centres have also been shut down.
Restarting any of that will not be immediate so in the short-term the easiest solution is to extend the opening hours of the remaining big centres and providing more support to high street pharmacists who are also heavily involved.
Currently around 2.5m booster jabs are being given each week - at that rate it could take around three months to provide boosters to everyone.
Halving that would give the UK the best possible chance of combatting any Omicron wave.
Mr Javid said if it emerged that the variant was "no more dangerous than the Delta variant" then measures would not be kept in place "for a day longer than necessary" but said experience had shown it was best to act swiftly against coronavirus.
This video can not be playedThis video can not be played
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Sajid Javid on Omicron numbers in the UK: "We expect cases to rise in coming days"Sajid Javid on Omicron numbers in the UK: "We expect cases to rise in coming days"
Mr Javid added: "The reason we've taken measures is to protect the progress we have made, and if we can do that then we can look forward to a fine Christmas."
The new rules on face coverings bring England in line with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where they are already mandatory on public transport and for many indoor areas.The new rules on face coverings bring England in line with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where they are already mandatory on public transport and for many indoor areas.
Newly-published guidance says they should be worn in locations including shops, shopping centres, posts offices, banks, hairdressers and food takeaways, as well as on public transport.Newly-published guidance says they should be worn in locations including shops, shopping centres, posts offices, banks, hairdressers and food takeaways, as well as on public transport.
Although the change does not require people in England to wear coverings in pubs and restaurants, they are required in hospitality venues elsewhere in the UK in some circumstances.Although the change does not require people in England to wear coverings in pubs and restaurants, they are required in hospitality venues elsewhere in the UK in some circumstances.
Speaking in the Commons, Labour's shadow health minister Dr Rosena Allin-Khan said the government should not have stopped asking the public in England to wear masks and that the rules should now be extended to include hospitality.Speaking in the Commons, Labour's shadow health minister Dr Rosena Allin-Khan said the government should not have stopped asking the public in England to wear masks and that the rules should now be extended to include hospitality.
Mandatory masks: 'We worry people won't come in'Mandatory masks: 'We worry people won't come in'
'We’ve had 20 cancellations in one weekend''We’ve had 20 cancellations in one weekend'
EasyJet says Omicron has weakened bookings
Meanwhile, the first ministers of Scotland and Wales have called for the PCR test requirement to be changed so that everyone arriving in the UK would have to isolate for eight days.Meanwhile, the first ministers of Scotland and Wales have called for the PCR test requirement to be changed so that everyone arriving in the UK would have to isolate for eight days.
The latest cases of the Omicron variant were detected in the Camden and Wandsworth areas of London, the UK Health Security Agency said. Like the other three cases in England, they have been linked to travel in southern Africa.The latest cases of the Omicron variant were detected in the Camden and Wandsworth areas of London, the UK Health Security Agency said. Like the other three cases in England, they have been linked to travel in southern Africa.
Nine cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus have now been identified in Scotland, the country's health secretary Humza Yousaf said.Nine cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus have now been identified in Scotland, the country's health secretary Humza Yousaf said.
He said there are five cases in the Lanarkshire area and four in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.He said there are five cases in the Lanarkshire area and four in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Mr Yousaf said there was nothing linking the cases to the Cop26 summit in Glasgow or a recent South Africa rugby match.
The average number of daily confirmed Covid cases in the UK began rising again in early November. A further 42,583 cases were reported on Monday.The average number of daily confirmed Covid cases in the UK began rising again in early November. A further 42,583 cases were reported on Monday.
'All hands on deck''All hands on deck'
NHS England has said it will "shortly" set out how the booster vaccine programme will be expanded, including who will be prioritised and how capacity will be expanded.NHS England has said it will "shortly" set out how the booster vaccine programme will be expanded, including who will be prioritised and how capacity will be expanded.
Ms Keegan said that in the "next couple of days" the booster plan would be outlined to the public but said that it would likely be done in age cohorts.
She said people should wait to be contacted for their booster at the moment.
Dr Farah Jameel, chair of the British Medical Association's GP committee, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that GP practices needed to have their contractual targets paused so that they could "refocus clinical priorities" on supporting the rollout of jabs.Dr Farah Jameel, chair of the British Medical Association's GP committee, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that GP practices needed to have their contractual targets paused so that they could "refocus clinical priorities" on supporting the rollout of jabs.
She said: "We are struggling to deliver everything... because we simply don't have the workforce and we need to focus on clinical need.She said: "We are struggling to deliver everything... because we simply don't have the workforce and we need to focus on clinical need.
"With a new risk unfolding, I think the emphasis and focus rightfully needs to be on rolling out a monumental vaccination and booster effort so all hands on deck." "With a new risk unfolding, I think the emphasis and focus rightfully needs to be on rolling out a monumental vaccination and booster effort, so all hands on deck."
Prof Adam Finn, a member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, said a big challenge for the booster programme would be "all about speed", describing it as a "challenging month ahead for the NHS".Prof Adam Finn, a member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, said a big challenge for the booster programme would be "all about speed", describing it as a "challenging month ahead for the NHS".
He said that in Bristol, where he is based, there were efforts to get retired healthcare workers, as well as to train up members of the public, to help accelerate the booster programme, adding that he was sure that was happening across the country.He said that in Bristol, where he is based, there were efforts to get retired healthcare workers, as well as to train up members of the public, to help accelerate the booster programme, adding that he was sure that was happening across the country.
He said it made sense for people to be encouraged to wear masks, describing it as "a time for caution" with it not yet known how big a problem the Omicron variant could be.
THE SLEEPING FORECAST: Get cosy with our winter playlistTHE SLEEPING FORECAST: Get cosy with our winter playlist
WHAT IS RACHEL RILEY'S EMBARRASSING HABIT?: Joe Lycett finds out in 'It's Not What You Know'WHAT IS RACHEL RILEY'S EMBARRASSING HABIT?: Joe Lycett finds out in 'It's Not What You Know'