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The Government announced the precautionary steps it is taking to reduce the spread of the newly identified Omicron variant at the weekend.
From tomorrow (Tuesday 30 November),
- Face coverings will again be compulsory in shops and on public transport in England.
- Pupils at secondary schools in England are strongly advised to wear face coverings in communal areas. The guidance also applies to staff and visitors at all schools and childcare settings.
- All contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of vaccination status or age.
- From 4am on Tuesday, anyone entering the UK will have to get a PCR test within 48 hours of arrival and will need to self-isolate until they have a negative result.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is also considering today (Monday 29 November) whether Covid-19 boosters should be rolled out more quickly and to more people. Anyone over 40 can currently get a booster jab six months after a second dose. Those 16 and over can get two doses of the vaccination and 12 to 15 years olds are offered a single dose.
North Somerset Council’s executive member for health, Cllr Mike Bell, said: “Getting your vaccinations as soon as possible is still one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and your family from Covid. Check www.grabajab.net for the latest local availability.
“Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms should isolate and get a PCR test immediately. If you have no symptoms, please take an LFT rapid test before you go to busy places, especially indoors, to minimise the risk of unwittingly infecting others. Taking a rapid test is also recommended before you visit someone that is at higher risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19.
“Please wear a mask in all crowded places, as well as public transport and shops, to help break the chains of transmission and slow the spread. Unless you are exempt the very simplest thing you can do is wear a face covering to help protect yourself and others."
Director of Public Health, Matt Lenny, added: “We understand these tighter rules may feel like a step backwards and may be worrying.
“But it is important we do all we can to reduce the spread of Covid in North Somerset. The risk of complications from Covid-19 infection is still very real and very serious.
“Thankfully the risk of becoming seriously ill is reduced by vaccination and so I urge those that have not had their jabs yet to do so as quickly as they can.
“As well as wearing face coverings in shops and on public transport, it’s good to keep up the habit of wearing one anywhere there are crowds. You will get some benefit wearing a face covering, but we all get the most benefit when everyone chooses to put one on, so please put on yours to keep our rates as low as possible.”
Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19, a temperature, new continuous cough, or change to sense of taste or smell, must self-isolate straightaway and book a PCR test at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
Find out more details about who can get the Covid-19 vaccination and book yours at www.nhs.net/CovidVaccine or log onto www.grabajab.net for local walk-in clinics.
Find out more about when and how to get your LTF rapid Covid-19 tests at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/rapidtesting