Masks to return on Tuesday across Sussex but families told to plan for Christmas as normal.

Sunday, 28 November 2021 12:15

By V2 Radio News Team

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said this morning the situation is ‘nowhere near’ the need to reintroduce social distancing rules and work from home guidance.

Passengers arriving to the UK have been told that from Tuesday morning they will have to take a PCR test for Covid-19, with the expectation they will have to self-isolate until they test negative.

All contacts with a suspected case of Omicron will have to isolate for 10 days, regardless of their vaccination status, amid concerns existing jabs will be less effective against the strain that is believed to spread rapidly.

Details of the plans were incomplete when announced by Boris Johnson after two cases of the variant were confirmed in England yesterday, but Mr Javid said today the “face mask rules are planned to come in on Tuesday” to bring the nation back closer into line with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

He said it “would be irresponsible to make guarantees” during the ever-changing pandemic, but told Sky News: “I think people should continue with their plans as normal for Christmas, I think it’s going to be a great Christmas.”

With the Government stopping short of introducing its Plan B to tackle Covid-19 this winter, the Health Secretary downplayed there being a need to reintroduce social distancing rules or work from home guidance.

New measures announced yesterday by the Prime Minister include:

From Tuesday, face coverings will once again be compulsory in shops and on public transport
All contacts of suspected Omicron cases will be required to self-isolate for 10 days - regardless of a person's vaccination status
Anyone entering the UK will require a PCR test by the end of the second day after their arrival and will need to self-isolate until they have a negative result. The change will be brought in "as soon as possible".
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) - the UK's vaccine advisory body - will consider giving the booster vaccine "to as wide as group as possible". It will also take steps to reduce the gap between the second dose and booster jabs.

Boris Johnson said yesterday the new rules were temporary and would be reviewed after three weeks.

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