Breaking
IT'S UP TO YOU
Brits told it’s ‘time to be vigilant’ so get boosters & wear masks to save Christmas as Omicron cases start to spiral
SAJID Javid today insisted a Christmas lockdown can be avoided if Brits get their booster jabs and start self-testing regularly.
The health secretary said the Omicron variant "may have given the virus extra legs" in the race against vaccines but can be defeated.
1
And he insisted new restrictions including mask wearing and travel curbs will be ditched if the strain turns out to be a false alarm.
Mr Javid made his remarks after top scientists tried to calm public nerves about Omicron.
Deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van Tam told a press conference: "I don't want people to panic at this stage".
The health secretary said the booster jabs programme is still the best way to ensure people's freedoms are protected.
He said while Omicron may dent the power of vaccines "it’s highly unlikely they will have no effectiveness at all against serious disease".
And he revealed there was a surge of unvaccinated Brits coming forward for jabs over the weekend "perhaps out of concern over this new variant".
Mr Javid told Brits ministers are taking a "well-rounded view" of restrictions focusing on "the economy, education, and mental health".
He said: "Getting a jab when the time comes, following the rules we’ve put in place and getting rapid, regular tests.
"If we all come together once again, then we can keep this virus at bay and protect the progress that we’ve made."
He added: "If it emerges this variant is no more dangerous than the Delta variant, we won’t keep measures place for a day longer than is necessary."
The Health Sec said when judging the threat posed by Omicron "what matters more than anything is hospitalisations".
And he insisted Britain's decision to open up fully over the summer means we now have better defences against the variant than many countries.
He added: "There are many of my counterparts in Europe that now believe they should've taken a similar route as well."
Britain is ready to buy tweaked doses of vaccines to combat the new variant if it does reduce the effectiveness of the current jabs.
He said: "If it is necessary to procure new vaccines that we believe are safe and effective and will help with this new variant we will do so
Mr Javid confirmed the details of the new restrictions that will come into force from 4am tomorrow.
They include mandatory mask wearing on public transport such as trains, buses, and trams.
Brits will also have to wear face coverings in shops, banks, post offices and hairdressers.
But they won't be compulsory in hospitality settings like bars and restaurants or entertainment venues such as cinemas and theatres.
All people arriving in Britain from abroad will also have to quarantine and take a PCR test on their second day in the country.
If the swab comes back negative, they will then be allowed to leave isolation.
And self-isolation rules will be brought back for contacts of people who test positive for Omicron.
Those who have been in touch with someone who gets the new variant will have to self-quarantine for 10 days even if they're vaccinated.
MPs will vote on the new restrictions in the next few days.
If we all come together once again, then we can keep this virus at bay and protect the progress that we’ve made
Health Secretary Sajid Javid
His remarks come after scientists today green-lighted quicker booster jabs for all UK adults.
Million of Brits will be eligible for their top up shot early after just a three month gap in a bid to turbo-charge the nation’s immunity.
Ministers have pledged to remain on the “front foot” in the fight against the terrifying new Omicron variant.
Government scientists confirmed the new advice, which will see an extra 13 million over-18s become eligible for a third shot before the end of the year.
Experts hope cutting the gap between the second and third doses of the jab from six to three months will allow the UK to get ahead of the new Covid variant.
Kids aged 12 to 15 will also be offered a second dose of the vaccine, in an attempt to shore up the nation’s immunity in the face of the worrying new strain.
The Sun has issued a fresh call for Jabs Army volunteers after the announcement that the booster shot could be offered sooner.
We need 25,000 NHS volunteer responders to help out at hundreds of vaccination centres UK-wide.
And with scientists urging anyone eligible for a booster to get one by December 11 and under 18s being considered for second vaccinations, our Jabs Army needs you.
Volunteers are needed all over England but there are 20 areas that are desperate for support now.
Most read in Health
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam described the variant as the "new kid on the block", warning scientists from around the world have been left concerned.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
He told the nation at a Downing Street briefing: "Its always been the case that at some point, we’ll get a variant that gives us heightened concern.
"We are at that moment with Omicron."
Next three weeks crucial for getting ahead of Omicron as scientists learn more, says JVT
Topics