The spread of the coronaviruses COVID 19 continues in London, Britain on November 30, 2021, as people wear face masks on the London underground. REUTERS Hannah McKay
LONDON, Nov 30 Reuters - New mask mandates and other measures intended to curb the spread of the Omicron coronaviruses came into force in England on Tuesday as Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks for an expanded booster programme to help increase protection against COVID 19.
Face masks are compulsory on transport and in shops, banks and hair salons from Tuesday morning.
All international travellers must take a PCR test by the end of the second day after they arrive, and self-isolate until they get their results. In addition to that, there are restrictions on arrivals from 10 southern African countries who have to enter hotel quarantine.
Britain has reported 11 cases of the Omicron variant so far, but it says it is important to slow its spread until more information is known about the variant's tranmissibility and impact on vaccines.
Johnson said that the measures taking effect today are proportionate and responsible and will give us time in the face of this new variant.
Today's steps will help us slow down the variant's spread, but they will also help us protect each other and the gains we have all worked so hard for. Johnson said the measures will be reviewed after three weeks, but Johnson said that the country's vaccine rollout leaves it in a better position than this time last year, when restrictions were introduced shortly before Christmas.
On Monday, vaccine advisers gave the go ahead to a booster programme for adults, and health minister Sajid Javid said there would be more details on how it would be implemented this week. Even if Omicron can reduce vaccine efficacy, booster shots are expected to help protect against severe disease.
Johnson said that our vaccines and boosters are our best line of defence based on everything we know.