The Prime Minister’s news conference on Saturday evening explaining to the nation more about the Omicron variant is a stark reminder that we are not yet out of this pandemic, and we must take steps to protect the gains we have made in our fight against the virus.
So this is why we have announced new measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 – from Tuesday, all contacts of suspected Omicron cases must by law self-isolate for 10 days, face coverings will become compulsory in shops and on public transport, and all international arrivals must take a PCR test on or before day 2 and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
Collectively in the last 20-months we have all done so much to beat this virus and Vaccines remain our most effective tool against COVID-19 and I would urge everyone who is eligible to come forward for their booster jab.