MASKS BACK TO FIGHT VARIANT

• Omicron hits UK with fears it could evade the vaccines • Boris tightens virus rules to aid booster drive and save Christmas

- Tony Whitfield and David Maddox

MASKS must be worn in shops and on public transport, Boris Johnson said last night, after the new Omicron variant of Covid was discovered in the UK.

A raft of restrictions were brought in due to the threat of the variant. Along with the clampdown on masks, all arrivals to the UK, regardless of whether they are fully vaccinated, will need to take a PCR test and, if positive, isolate until they get a negative result.

Announcing the new level of restrictions, Mr Johnson said: “I want to stress that we’re not going to stop people travelling.”

In addition, all contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of their vaccination status.

But the Prime Minister said that he remains “confident” this Christmas will be “considerably better” than last year, when strict social distancing restrictions were imposed at short notice.

In England, hospitality will not be affected by the measures. Other aspects from Plan B have not been invoked, including vaccine passports and directives to work from home where possible.

The mask mandate will come in from sometime this week, a statement from 10 Downing Street said.

At a hastily arranged press conference, Mr Johnson warned that the Omicron variant could reduce the effectiveness of current vaccines as he announced a strengthening of England’s rules.

In an attempt to slow the spread, the Prime Minister announced that these “temporary and precautionary” measures will be reviewed in three weeks.

Officials will also step up the vaccine booster campaign.