Omicron variant: What coronavirus rules have been changed in the UK?

What are the new rules in place from today?

• Face masks/coverings become compulsory in shops and on public transport in England.
• Secondary school pupils are being “strongly advised” to wear face masks in communal areas, with the guidance applying to staff and visitors.
• Anyone who comes into contact with an omicron case will be contacted by NHS test and trace and must isolate for 10 days, regardless of vaccinations
• Anyone coming into the UK must take a PCR test within 48 hours of arriving and must isolate until receiving a negative result
• All adults will receive the offer of a booster jab, and second jabs will be offered to children aged 12-16

Face coverings are again compulsory in England in shops and settings such as banks, post offices, hairdressers, and public transport, while all travellers returning to the UK must take a PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.

All contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate, regardless of their age or vaccination status.

What is happening with vaccinations?

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is now advising that all adults aged 18 to 39 should be offered a booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, in order of descending age groups, to increase their level of protection.

Those aged 40 and over are already eligible for a booster vaccine.

The JCVI said booster doses should be given no sooner than three months after people have had their second dose of an original vaccine – shaving three months off the current six-month wait.

In further advice, young people aged 12 to 15 should be offered a second dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, no sooner than 12 weeks after their first dose.

The NHS said it will shortly set out how staff will expand the booster programme.

A spokesman said this will include how booster jabs will be given in priority order so that the most vulnerable people are protected first, while also increasing capacity to vaccinate millions more people in a shorter space of time.

What other measures remain in place?

• 1m-plus social distancing guidance remains in places such as hospitals and passport control
• People are advised to test for Covid before going to crowded places or spending time with those who are at greater risk from Covid
• Anyone testing positive has to self-isolate