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London: The UK has re-introduced obligatory pre-departure exams for all travellers getting into the nation and added Nigeria to its journey ban purple record amid fears of the unfold of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
The UK authorities mentioned on Saturday (December 4) {that a} new evaluation performed by the UK Well being and Safety Company (UKHSA) signifies that the window between an infection and infectiousness could also be shorter for the Omicron variant, which will increase the efficacy of pre-departure testing as it’s extra more likely to determine optimistic circumstances earlier than journey.
Subsequently, beginning Tuesday (December 7) morning, anybody arriving within the UK is required to offer a pre-booked detrimental polymerase chain response (PCR) or lateral stream check taken no sooner than 48 hours earlier than departure. This is applicable to vaccinated passengers and kids aged 12 and above.
“We knew this winter can be difficult however the arrival of a brand new variant means we should additional strengthen our defences,” mentioned UK Well being Secretary Sajid Javid.
“As our world-leading scientists proceed to know extra in regards to the Omicron variant we’re taking decisive motion to guard public well being and the progress of our COVID-19 vaccination programme. I urge everybody to do their bit to sluggish the unfold by following the brand new journey guidelines, carrying masks the place necessary and most significantly getting the booster jab when known as,” he mentioned.
Underneath present guidelines, travellers solely wanted to self-isolate till they examined detrimental inside two days of arriving into the nation.
Scientists have raised issues that the heavily-mutated Omicron variant, first recognized in South Africa, could also be extra transmissible than the dominant Delta COVID pressure and work stays ongoing to determine if it will probably escape immunity from the vaccines.
The Division of Well being and Social Care (DHSC) mentioned that in gentle of the rising proof and the altering international image close to the unfold of Omicron, airways might be required to verify for pre-departure exams alongside accomplished Passenger Locator Kind, and passengers is not going to be allowed to board a flight with out offering proof of a detrimental check outcome.
Given the diminished incubation interval of the Omicron variant, passengers are suggested to take the pre-departure check as shut as potential to their scheduled departure to the UK and no sooner than 48 hours earlier than travelling, the DHSC mentioned.
With the overwhelming majority of circumstances within the UK having clear hyperlinks to abroad journey from South Africa and Nigeria, from 4.00 am on Monday all UK and Irish residents and residents arriving from Nigeria should isolate in a government-approved managed quarantine resort facility for 10 days, and obtain two detrimental PCR exams, as additional precautionary motion is taken towards the Omicron variant.
The federal government mentioned that over the previous week, 21 Omicron circumstances reported in England originate from Nigeria, which has been added to the journey ban purple record from Monday morning.
All these further travel-related measures might be reviewed after three weeks, on December 20.
Following developments prior to now week, the science reveals that we should be cautious in guarding towards this new variant and so whereas we recognize this, (it) might be tough for the journey sector, it is essential we prioritise public well being,” mentioned UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
As we study extra in regards to the Omicron variant, we’ll overview these short-term measures to make sure they proceed to be proportionate and mandatory to guard public well being, he mentioned.
Anybody arriving from Nigeria earlier than 4.00 am Monday, when the brand new guidelines kick in, might be suggested and strongly inspired to isolate at residence, and their family also needs to self-isolate for 10 days beginning with their arrival in England.
Affected people might be contacted and provided free PCR exams to be taken on the eighth day after arrival.
British and Irish residents, or these with residence rights, arriving to England from nations on the purple record – which incorporates South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Angola and shortly Nigeria are required to e-book a managed quarantine resort upfront.
The quarantine package deal will embrace a quarantine resort, quarantine transport and a journey check package deal for COVID-19 exams on day 2 and day 8 of quarantine.
Evaluation by the UKHSA suggests there’s a sturdy indication of Omicron presence in Nigeria, and a number of other circumstances recognized within the UK are linked to journey from Nigeria.
The nation additionally has very sturdy journey hyperlinks with South Africa, for instance, Nigeria is the second hottest flight vacation spot from Johannesburg, the DHSC mentioned.
The UKHSA mentioned it continues to observe the state of affairs carefully, in partnership with scientific and public well being organisations the world over.
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