Covid news live: Latest as the UK approaches the arrival of the omicron variant and six African countries are added to the red list

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Everything we know about the new Covid variant so far

The UK is preparing for the arrival of the new type of Covid that is potentially more dangerous and transmissible, with Europe recording its first case.

Health Minister Sajid Javid said the alternative, dubbed omicron by the World Health Organization, was a “significant international concern” and could pose a “significant public health risk”, but that there was no immediate need to implement restrictions other than adding certain countries to the “list.” red” for travel.

In a repeat of last winter’s events, the government has responded to the alert about a troubling new alternative by placing a no-fly zone over South Africa – and adding the country and five neighbors to the red list.

British and Irish nationals or residents from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe after 4am on Sunday 29 November will be required to book and pay the UK Government approved hotel quarantine facility fee for 10 days.

Anyone else who has been in those six countries in the past 10 days will be refused entry to the UK.

Key points Latest update 1638007347 shows new anti-Omicron variant vaccine could start ‘very fast’, says Oxford scientist

Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, said a new anti-Omicron vaccine could be launched “very quickly” if needed.

“The processes of how to develop a new vaccine are well oiled,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

“So if necessary, this is something that can be transferred very quickly.”

Chiara Giordano November 27, 2021 10:02

1638006509 New variant will arrive in the UK ‘by hook or crook’, experts say

Speaking of the decision to put six countries on the travel red list, Prof Calum Semple, who advises the government as part of Sage, told BBC Breakfast: “If you can slow down the arrival of the virus into the country because you’ve set a date to ramp up the campaign going forward, scientists are left to see.” Whether there is anything to worry about, which it does not seem.

“The virus will get here by hook or crook, and eventually, it will come here because people are asymptomatic, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to slow it down.”

He said he’s an advocate of masks and hand washing and said, “I feel especially uncomfortable on public transportation. I’m a mask supporter in stores and public transportation. We still have high levels of coronavirus but the vaccines are working.”

Chiara Giordano November 27, 2021 09:48

1638005327 Omicron variant may not avoid booster balls or two appropriate doses, experts say

Professor Callum Semple, who advises the government as part of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), told BBC Breakfast: “It’s very early days, we’ve only known about this virus for a few weeks.

“The evidence is that it doesn’t cause more death and that’s important.

“The problem this may have is that it may evade some vaccines but may not evade the appropriate boosters or two doses.”

He encouraged people to go get their coronavirus boosters.

Chiara Giordano November 27, 2021 09:28

1638003897 Covid vaccine developer says vaccine syringe can be modified in 100 days

The company that developed the Pfizer Covid-19 shot said it could manufacture and distribute a new version of the vaccine within 100 days if the new omicron alternative was found to make existing vaccines less effective.

BioNTech’s comment came as B.1.1.529, newly named after the fifteenth letter of the Greek alphabet, was declared a variant of concern by the World Health Organization (WHO), which said it appeared to be highly transmissible.

More on this Rory Sullivan story:

Chiara Giordano, November 27, 2021 09:04

1638002998 Six African countries have been added to the Travel Red List

The UK government has responded to an alert about Omicron – a worrying new type of coronavirus – by imposing a flight ban on South Africa and adding the country and five neighbors to a travel “red list”.

British and Irish nationals or residents from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe after 4am on Sunday 29 November will be required to book and pay the UK Government approved hotel quarantine facility fee for 10 days.

Anyone else who has been in those six countries in the past 10 days will be refused entry to the UK.

Our travel reporter Simon Calder explains the restrictions in more detail here:

Chiara Giordano November 27, 2021 08:49

1638002784UK Brackets to access the omicron variable

The UK is preparing for the arrival of the new type of Covid that is potentially more dangerous and transmissible, with Europe recording its first case.

In Whitehall, a Covid-19 task force has been scrambling to examine the restrictions that could be implemented if the alternative displaces Delta and takes hold in the UK, while government scientific advisers have warned that new measures are now needed.

Our science reporter Samuel Lovett and economic editor Anna Isaac have more on this story:

UK prepares for expected arrival of new Covid variant

Officials at Whitehall were laid on the “grounds of war” and asked to begin evaluating future constraints that would be implemented if the alternative was eventually implemented, while leading scholars called for pre-emptive action.

Chiara Giordano November 27, 2021 08:46

1638002556

Good morning, and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.

The UK is preparing for the arrival of the new Omicron Covid-19 variant that was first detected in South Africa.

Stay tuned for constant updates on the latest news and stats throughout the day.

Chiara Giordano November 27, 2021 08:42

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