On Saturday, the Prime Minister announced new measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, taking precautionary steps to bolster our wall of defence against the virus.

The Omicron variant is a stark reminder that we are not yet out of this pandemic, and we must take steps to protect the gains we have made in our fight against the virus. That is why the Government has announced new measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. From Tuesday:

• All international arrivals must take a Day 2 PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
• All contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate, regardless of their vaccination status. They will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace.
• Face coverings will be made compulsory in shops and on public transport from next week. All hospitality settings will be exempt.

Vaccines remain our best line of defence. Experts remain confident that our current vaccines will provide protection against the new variant, but the extent of this continues to be investigated. Over 17.5 million people have already come forward for their booster jabs, and we have seen a fall in hospitalisations and deaths. All adults who have not yet received their first or second dose of the vaccine, or those who are eligible for their booster are encouraged to come forward to help protect themselves and others. You can book a 1st, 2nd, 3rd or booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or manage an appointment by visiting: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/.

Travel restrictions have already been implemented to slow the spread of the variant and protect our borders. From 04:00 Sunday 28 November South Africa, Botswana, Lesostho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibi, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Angola will be added to the UK’s travel red list.

Under the UK presidency, we will also be convening an urgent meeting of G7 health ministers today to discuss the developments and international cooperation on Omicron.

Vaccines remain our most effective tool against COVID-19 and we urge everyone who is eligible to come forward for their booster jab. For any more information on the new temporary and precautionary measures following the emergence of the Omicron variant in the UK, including comments from the Prime Minister, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/measures-against-omicron-variant-come-into-effect-30-november-2021.

JCVI Extends Booster Jabs to Under 40s and a Second Dose for Ages 12 to 15

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) previously advised that those aged over 40 years and those at higher risk from coronavirus (COVID-19) should be offered a booster. This new JCVI advice means those aged 18 to 39 will also be eligible for a booster when the NHS calls them forward. The booster will be offered in order of descending age groups, with priority given to the vaccination of older adults and those in a COVID-19 at-risk group. In response to the changing risk posed by the Omicron variant, the booster will now be given no sooner than 3 months after the primary course.

In addition, a second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (30 microgram) for young people aged 12 to 15 years is advised no sooner than 12 weeks after the first dose.

The overall intention of the measures advised above is to accelerate the deployment of COVID-19 vaccines and raise levels of protection across the population. JCVI will continue to review the programme and consider further evidence to ensure that health benefits are maximised alongside the rapidly evolving data on the Omicron variant.

Our booster programme has already seen over 17.5 million adults receive a third vaccine dose and the Government will continue to review and strengthen our wall of defence to protect people from serious illness. For any more information on the JCVI's advice on COVID-19 booster vaccines for those aged 18 to 39 and a second dose for ages 12 to 15, including comments from the Chair of the JCVI, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jcvi-advice-on-covid-19-booster-vaccines-for-those-aged-18-to-39-and-a-second-dose-for-ages-12-to-15.

Prime Minister's Statement at COVID-19 press conference: 27 November 2021

You can view the Prime Minister's statement at COVID-19 press conference: 27 November 2021 here, which includes information on new measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.