UK tightens entry rules due to COVID

From 04:00 on December 7, anyone over the age of 12 entering the UK will be required to submit a negative PCR or LFD test, the British government has said. Tests must be done before leaving for the UK. 

A day earlier, from December 6, Nigeria will be added to the "red list" of countries for travel. That is, anyone who has been in Nigeria in the last ten days will be banned from entering. The ban does not apply to citizens of the UK and Ireland, UK HEALTH Minister Sajid Javid said on Twitter. British and Irish people will be able to return to the country, but will have to be quarantined at a designated location.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the new restrictions are needed to slow the spread of the new omicron strain in the UK while scientists figure out its ability to spread and the effectiveness of vaccines, writes REUTERS. According to the British Health Security Agency, the total number of confirmed cases of the omicron strain in the country is 160.

The omicron strain of CORONAVIRUS first appeared on November 11 in South Africa. British scientists have reported that the new strain may be more dangerous than the previous ones due to the speed of spread. WHO has declared omicron a threat, due to suspicions that existing vaccines may not be effective against this strain. The organization also said that those who have been ill with coronavirus have an increased chance of contracting omicron. The UK has closed flights to South African countries after two cases of infection with the omicron strain were identified in the country.