The Prime Minister faces tough decisions over the coming days and weeks, including whether or not to plunge the nation into a fourth lockdown — just in time for Christmas.
But another lockdown could be justified as government scientists believe a new variant of coronavirus — of which two cases have been identified in the UK so far — may cause the population significant harm.
Boris Johnson said the information was brought to the country’s attention on Wednesday by scientists in South Africa.
The so-called Omicron variant is an advanced mutation of the virus, meaning it’s different — and worryingly, the Covid-19 vaccine may be ineffective against fighting it.
“This variant is spreading around the world, with two cases so far identified here in the UK”, the Prime Minister said.
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He continued: “As always, and I must stress this, as always with a new variant, there are many things that we just cannot know at this early stage.
“But our scientists are learning more hour by hour, and it does appear that Omicron spreads very rapidly, and can be spread between people who are double vaccinated.
“There is also a very extensive mutation which means it diverges quite significantly from previous configurations of the virus, and as result, it might – at least in part – reduce the protection of our vaccines over time.
“So we need to take targeted and proportionate measures now as a precaution while we find out more.”
Measures being introduced on Tuesday, 30 November, include the mandatory wearing of faces coverings on public transport and in shops. Those who did not comply face hefty fines.
Those entering the UK from abroad will also have to take a PCR test and must isolate until they receive a negative result.
In the following weeks, science will tell the government more about Omicron and it will influence the Prime Minister’s decisions.
