Covid News Live: Plan Christmas normally despite Omicron, says Sajid Javid because face masks are mandatory from Tuesday

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Omicron: England not close to imposing stricter coronavirus restrictions, says Sajid Javid

Health Minister Sajid Javid is expected to outline how and when the new Covid measures will come into effect after the first cases of the new Omicron variant were discovered in the UK.

Boris Johnson announced on Saturday that face coverings will be made mandatory in shops and on public transport in England, amid “temporary and precautionary” measures to combat the alternative.

It comes after the first two cases – ‘linked’ and linked to travel to South Africa – were found in England late on Friday.

Addressing the nation at a press conference in Downing Street, the prime minister also revealed that all arrivals to the UK will be required to take a PCR test and isolate at home until a negative Covid result is confirmed. He added that a review of all these new rules will be conducted within three weeks.

The measures have been criticized as a “Plan B-light” by scholars who believe they do not go far enough to address the “highly transmissible” alternative.

Follow our live coverage below

Authorities are expected to announce the number of Omicron cases found in the Netherlands

Dutch health authorities are expected to announce the number of cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant found in the Netherlands later today, after 61 South Africans tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Dutch Institute of Health (RIVM) said it believed the new variant was present in at least some of the positive cases found among about 600 passengers tested on arrival from two flights from South Africa on Friday.

A RIVM spokesperson said Saturday that it is “almost certain” that it has identified cases of the new variant, but that more testing is needed, and the institute will not say how many until it is confirmed.

Chiara Giordano November 28, 2021 10:40

1638095451 “a matter of hours” before the discovery of the Omicron variant in France, says the Minister of Health

The French health minister said the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is likely already spreading in France, adding that the government is tightening restrictions to contain its spread.

“There is no identification yet, but it takes hours,” Olivier Veran told reporters at a vaccination center in Paris.

Chiara Giordano November 28, 2021 10:30

Sajid Javid admits South African airline passengers were not tested when they arrived in the UK and traveled back home ‘the normal way’

Health Minister Sajid Javid admitted that South African airline passengers had not been tested when they arrived in the UK on Friday and traveled home “in the normal way” despite concerns they could carry the Omicron variant.

The full story from Deputy Political Editor Rob Merrick:

Chiara Giordano November 28, 2021 10:19

The union raises concerns about the application of face masks on public transport

The Rail, Maritime and Transport Association has raised concerns about the application of face masks, which will again be mandatory on public transport and in stores from Tuesday.

Secretary General Mick Lynch said: “We support the wearing of masks but there are major law enforcement issues and our members are left on the front lines with angry passengers refusing to comply.

“The government should provide resources to the police on the reintroduction of masks.

“We also need to end this disjointed approach and have some consistency that spares us the chaos and confusion that is the hallmark of this administration.”

Chiara Giordano November 28, 2021 10:10

Testing and isolation rules change from 4 a.m. Tuesday

According to a message in the passenger locator form section of the government’s website, testing and isolation requirements for people traveling to the UK will change from 4am on Tuesday.

The message reads: “After 04.00 Tuesday 30 November 2021, lateral flow tests will not be accepted and all travelers arriving in the UK will be required to book and take Covid-19 PCR tests.”

Chiara Giordano November 28, 2021 09:42

Moderna could have a big hit ready to combat Omicron by early 2022

Dr. Paul Burton, Moderna’s chief medical officer, said his team may have a booster syringe ready to run by early next year.

He told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show that the company has been working on a booster strike against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus since Thursday, and he expects to know how effective its current vaccine is against the new strain within two weeks.

“If we have to make a completely new vaccine, I think it will be early 2022 before it is available in large quantities,” he said.

“This is a dangerous looking virus but I think we have a lot of tools to be able to combat it so I’m optimistic.”

Chiara Giordano November 28, 2021 09:33

1638091314 EXCLUSIVE: ‘Shameful’ UK not to share more vaccines and vaccine designs, warns NGOs and unions

An international coalition of NGOs, charities and trade unions has warned that wealthy Western governments will “prolong” the spread of the Covid pandemic if they fail to help other countries increase vaccination rates.

The latest Covid-19 variant, omicron, which some scientists fear may be more troublesome than the predominant and highly contagious delta variant, has given new focus to the gap between states’ vaccination levels.

Our economics editor Anna Isaac and science reporter Samuel Lovett have more of this exclusive report:

Chiara Giordano November 28, 2021 09:21

Sajid Javid says: 1638090514: Plan Christmas ‘as usual’ despite Omicron

Health Minister Sajid Javid said people should plan for Christmas as “normal”.

He told Trevor Phillips on Sky on Sunday: “I think it’s fair to say that the nature of this pandemic is a lack of responsibility to provide guarantees.

“For Christmas, I think people should carry on with their plans as usual for Christmas, and I think it’s going to be a great Christmas.”

Chiara Giordano November 28, 2021 09:08

Sajid Javid says England ‘nowhere near’ imposing stricter Covid restrictions

Sajid Javid says England is “nowhere near” to imposing stricter Covid restrictions, despite the return of mask-wearing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for travelers.

The health minister has rejected stricter restrictions – such as social distancing, or working from home – arguing that they “carry a very high price” and are not necessary now, despite the arrival of the Omicron variant.

Deputy Political Editor Rob Merrick has more on this topic:

Chiara Giordano November 28, 2021 09:03

Health minister hopes additional measures will be canceled ‘within weeks’

The health minister said he hoped the additional measures were “temporary”, adding that he believed people “will take this more seriously”.

Speaking to Trevor Phillips on Sunday on Sky News, Sajid Javid said: “Doing it in this proportional way where it’s public transportation, it’s for retail outlets, I think is the right level of response to masks.

“It’s going to be through government regulation and that means, I think, people are going to take it seriously.”

Coming under pressure about whether people will follow the rules for masks, Mr Javid said following the news of a new type: “I think people are going to take this more seriously.”

Mr Javid added: “I think it is important that you act in a proportionate manner and also in a temporary manner.

“I hope this is something we can clear up in a matter of weeks. But I’m thinking in terms of making progress, we want life to go back to normal, but at this point in time, given what we know about this alternative, and expert with the advice that has been received, I think it’s right to take Some proportionate and balanced action.”

Chiara Giordano November 28, 2021 09:00

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