London: Face coverings are mandatory in shops and public transport from Tuesday as part of “targeted measures” to slow the spread of the Omicron variant, 14 cases of which have now been detected in the UK after Scotland reported three new infections.
The enhanced measures, announced last week as a precaution while more information is gathered and assessed on the new variant’s transmissibility and any possible effect on current Covid vaccines, also include compulsory PCR tests on arrival for all international travellers as well as a so-called booster vaccination programme to cover all adults aged over 18.
The Omicron variant, first identified in southern Africa, is feared to have higher re-infection risk and its potential vaccine resistance due to a large number of spike proteins remains under study.
“The measures taking effect today are proportionate and responsible, and will buy us time in the face of the new variant,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.
“The vaccine and booster shots remain our best line of defence, so it is more important than ever that people come forward when eligible to get boosted. Not only will today’s steps help us slow down the variant’s spread, but they will help us protect each other and the gains we have all worked so hard for,” he said.
Starting Tuesday, face coverings will be a legal requirement in shops and settings such as banks, post offices and hairdressers.