Today, the final Plan B rules changes by Boris Johnson to combat Omicron variant entered into effect. There were also vaccine passports.

If you plan to attend large nightclubs, Covid tickets will be compulsory. You must also show proof that your lateral flow tests have been negative.

However, there are rumblings within Conservatives over the plan with almost 100 Tory backbenchers voting against the Government yesterday.

As all English adults were given a third chance to stop the spread Omicron, the NHS continues its booster efforts.

Another change is that you must wear face covers at all indoor spaces within England. There will also be a new requirement for those who want to work from home.

The hotel quarantine policy for British travellers is being withdrawn. It was implemented because Omicron was spreading in England and the measures to protect against cases from getting imported were less effective.

MailOnline provides answers to questions concerning the Plan B boosters and rule changes:

VACCINE Passports

What exactly are vaccine passports?

For all persons aged 18 and over, mandatory vaccine passports are now required for certain indoor or outdoor locations.

The passport is required to be able to enter large outdoor events, nightclubs and sports venues for adults.

Are you not completely vaccinated yet?

The Government accepted the negative lateral flow test as proof after it said that they had considered all the evidence from Omicron.  

To be fully immunized, do you require a booster? 

No. This means you are fully vaccinated.  

Is it now possible to obtain a vaccine passport?

It is in areas where large crowds can mix and become close friends that the policy will be most effective. According to the Government, this policy includes:

  • nightclubs, dancehalls, discotheques and other late night dance venues. This includes any venues which are open from 1am to 5am, serve alcohol, have a designated area for dancing, and offer music for both live and recorded dancing.
  • Indoor events with more than 500 unseated guests, in which those attendees will likely stand or move for most or all of it, like music venues that are standing or large receptions.
  • Outdoor events that have 4,000 unseated guests or more, when those attendees will likely stand up or move about for part or all of the event (e.g. outdoor festivals);
  • Any events that have more than 10,000 attendees, indoors and outdoors.
A person's NHS Covid domestic pass is displayed on a smartphone screen in the NHS App

The NHS App displays a person’s NHS Covid domestic ID on their smartphone screens

Why did vaccine passports get introduced?

The government stated that vaccine passports could allow closed venues for long periods of time since the pandemic began. These are better than closing all venues or placing limits on capacity or social distancing.

Exempt settings

According to the government, certain settings are exempted by passport requirements such as communal worship and wedding ceremonies.

The exemptions are also available for free and unticketed events that take place in public spaces such as protests or mass participation sports events.

Can you make a vaccination passport? Does it need to be an app?

Access the NHS Covid Pass via NHS.UK and App. A printed copy can be obtained by visiting NHS.UK, or calling 119 

Was there any change in the voting system at Parliament?

Boris Johnson, the rebel Conservative MPs gave him his largest rebellion since becoming Prime Minister two-and a-half years earlier during yesterday’s vote.

Yesterday’s vote was voted against by nearly 100 backbenchers who defied party whips, which equates to almost one third of his MPs.

The majority of them voted against mandatory Covid passes at nightclubs and other large venues. Many also said they felt unhappy with Johnson’s leadership style.

Treasurer of the 1922 Committee Sir Geoffrey Clifton Brown said that Mr Johnson must face a leadership challenge in the New Year if he doesn’t change how he works with his MPs. 

How is Scotland doing? 

Scots have already implemented vaccine passports since October. This applies to people attending nightclubs and indoor events (unseated), with at least 500 people, and outdoor events (unseated), with more than 4,000 people. Anyone who attends events with more than 10,000 people must show that they have been double-vaccinated.

A negative PCR or negative lateral flow test, taken within the last 24 hours before entry to a venue has been included in the pass. Scotland’s Covid passes can be called the NHS Scotland CoVID Status app.

Where is Wales’ situation?

Wales’s vaccine passports can be used in cinemas and concert halls in Wales.

These are needed in unseated indoor venues that have more than 500 persons, as well as outdoor and indoor unseated venues having a maximum capacity of 4,000 or more.

You can download the passes if you have been negative tested within 48 hours.

Similar to England, Wales also uses the NHS Covid Pass.

Where is Northern Ireland at the moment?

Northern Ireland follows the same rules that Wales has had in place since Nov 29th, 2005. Since yesterday, enforcement has taken place. 

Covid pass holders can only be downloaded by residents who have been double-vaccinated and/or who were negative within 48 hours.

Northern Ireland’s pass is COVIDCert.NI Mobile App. 

BOOSTER JABS 

What’s a booster shot?

The booster jab, which is also known as the coronavirus vaccination, is offered to people who have received their second and third doses.

Is it possible to book an England booster jab?

You can still book for anyone 18 years old and above starting from today. This program was originally open for those over 30 on Monday. It has been expanded.  

Is there any exception for people under the age of 18?

All social workers and frontline healthcare professionals are eligible for the booster jab regardless of their age.

Anyone aged 16-17 and with a medical condition that places them at high risk from Covid-19 is also eligible. Those conditions include long-term lung conditions, kidney disease and diabetes – and are listed in full on the NHS website here.

What is the minimum age you should have received your second shot?

If it’s been more than 61 days, you can still pre-book your booster. The appointment dates that you are offered for your booster will start at 91 days following your second dose.

People queue for their vaccination at St Thomas' Hospital in London this morning

Today, there was a long line of people waiting to be vaccinated at London’s St Thomas Hospital.

Is it possible to have a positive Covid-19 Test?

You must wait 28 days before you can get a booster if you are eligible and have had a positive Covid-19 Test.

If you have symptoms or a positive result, this is the start of your jab. Cancellation and rebooking of your jab can be done if necessary.

What are the best ways to book your booster?

Click here to book your booster through the NHS website. You will be asked for your NHS number to make the booking, but you don’t actually need this.

The website will ask for your postcode and date of birth to provide you with a listing of appointments available at various centres.

The appointment time will then be indicated. You can choose to click an hour or a 10-minute slot.

The confirmation email will include a reference number. You can then use it to modify or cancel your appointment by clicking here.

Those visiting the NHS website yesterday were put into a queue of unspecified length

Yesterday’s visitors to the NHS site were placed in a unspecified queue

Is it possible to get an appointment right now?

Britons are still trying to find an appointment online for their booster jabs, and have been getting up at night to do so.

Yesterday, those who tried to book an appointment were taken into a wait room and given a message that said: “You’re in a long queue.” Many are trying to get an appointment right now. We’ll soon tell you exactly where you stand in line and how long it will take to get there.

Some Britons were placed in a five-minute queue along with other people. Then they were asked to enter their NHS number and begin the process.

Today, however, the site seemed to work much better. Users were put into a five-minute queue. 

What number of people have already booked their booster?

Boris Johnson’s TV appeal to prevent a ‘tidal tsunami’ of Omicron, in which he called for more than 1,000,000 people to get their booster or book one, has resulted in over a quarter million having them.

The third shot was given to 513722 UK residents on Monday. This Monday marked the busiest Monday for vaccines in the NH since December 2013. 

The UK has received more than three million boosters, third and fourth doses of the jab in the week that just passed. It is now the most recent seven-day stretch since the start of extra doses.

Britons queue up in a line outside St Thomas's Hospital in London this morning for their Covid-19 booster jabs

Britons waited in line to get Covid-19 boosters from St Thomas’ Hospital, London.

Do you have the ability to add other information?

NHS advises against giving out details to anyone without consent. This is considered a violation of terms and can lead you to be charged with a crime. The NHS does not provide any guidance regarding the input of details. With It is possible to consent without the permission of another person, however this would be acceptable.

How about walking-in?

Online bookings are available for anyone who qualifies. Alternatively, they can go to any walk-in centre to get their vaccination. Find one by clicking this link. 

Is it busy at the walk-in centers?

Yes. Do you believe so? Thousands have filled the streets with their boosters at UK walk-in clinics. As people sought their boosters, long queues were seen at many locations.

Due to this weeks high demand, some people were forced to wait as long as five hours in order to see a doctor. 

Do you know of a third type of booster that can be used?

For people who have a weak immune system, there’s a third dose. This is only for those who have been referred by a doctor or specialist in the hospital.

People who received their 2nd or 3rd doses of the drug in severe doses will need to take this third dose. It is not the same as a booster.

According to the NHS, vaccines may not have provided as much protection for those who do not have an immune system that is severely compromised.

A booster dose can be given if you are unable to withstand the first dose.

Where did this booster drive come from? 

Boris Johnson issued an “Omicron emergency” TV statement Sunday, 8pm. He warned the public against believing that the variant won’t make them sick. 

After that, the Prime Minister presented the objective of providing a Covid-19 booster injection to every adult for a period of one month. Prior to January, the target was set at the end.

This has been moved to December 31. The PM stated that everyone who is eligible in England aged 18 or over will be granted a booster prior to 2022.

Johnson said also that the UK Government would provide extra support for vaccinations to be accelerated in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

How can the booster drive be accomplished?

Johnson indicated that this will take an extraordinary effort and will mean thousands more volunteers needing to be trained in order to achieve the target.

The ’emergency operations’ will be helped by the deployment of 42 military planning units in each region, as well setting up more vaccine sites and mobile unit.

The clinic will now be open 7 days per week. He also stated that there would be more appointments in the early morning and evening.

How will this booster drive impact other aspects of the health care system?

Yes. Yes. Johnson stated that the emphasis on boosters, and the achievement of the new goal will require some additional appointments to be delayed until next year.

However, he stated that Omicron could be so huge that disruptions like cancellations of cancer appointments and other issues would occur even if the necessary steps are not taken now. 

Is it possible to compare the effectiveness of two jabs with three?

UKHSA analysis has shown that AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Delta vaccines have’much lower levels’ of protection from Omicron-symptomatic infections.

The UKHSA stated that a booster dose provides around 70% to 75% protection from Omicron-related symptoms.

Is Omicron common in the UK? How many are there and how many need to be injected?

Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary for Omicron Prevention and Control (NHS), stated earlier in this week that 840,000 booster jabs will be required per day to combat Omicron.

Downing Street didn’t reject the suggestion that Omicron infections could reach a million each day next week. This was based upon a “valid” estimate by the UK Health Security Agency, which indicated that Omicrons are at around 200,000. 

Yesterday’s report of almost 60,000 Covid-19 cases was the most since Jan 9, driven by an increase in highly transmissible Covid-19. 

A booster has been given to 40% of the population, so there is still an estimated 17.2 million people who are eligible for another jab.

This would require more than 950,000 boosters per day to make it work, including Boxing Day and Christmas Day.

Is the UK Covid Alert Level currently being set?

The UK Covid Alert Level was increased to Level 4 on Sunday just hours before Prime Minister David Cameron’s address to nation. This is in response to an increase of Omicron-related cases.

Following advice from the UKHSA the nation’s four chief doctors and the NHS England national medical director made this recommendation to ministers. 

ISOLATION AND TESTING

How do I get a lateral flow tester?

A pharmacy, or another collection point can give you free tests. It is usually the fastest way for most people to obtain one.

You can visit the NHS website here. Then click on the ‘get code’ button to get a code for that center.

Where can I get a lateral flow analysis?

Although you can purchase a kit for lateral flow testing online, please click here if you cannot visit the test center.

Is there a supply problem with the lateral flow test?

These supply issues are improving, yes. However, lateral flow test orders that were not available on the Government’s website this week have now been restocked.

A website message yesterday morning stated that no home delivery tests were available, but tests may still be obtained from pharmacies.

The UKHSA stated Monday that, ‘due in part to an exceptionally high demand for lateral flow testing on gov.uk, orders were temporarily suspended to fulfill existing orders.

Ministers insisted that this week there was no shortage of supply but that the system to deliver the test results is constrained.

These people were encouraged to get testing kits from local pharmacies. Many people reported finding out that the local pharmacy was out of stock. 

Britons can pick up lateral flow tests for free from a pharmacy listed on the NHS website

Britons may get lateral flow tests free of charge from any NHS-listed pharmacy

How do I perform a lateral flow study?

According to the NHS, you should have lateral flow testing done on “days when it’s more likely that you catch or spread Covid-19”, such as before mixing with others in indoor spaces or visiting someone at greater risk for becoming severely ill.

If they are in contact with anyone with Covid-19, double-jabbed adults will be asked to complete a lateral flow exam every day for seven consecutive days. 

Where can I get a test for PCR?

By clicking here, you can request a free PCR testing kit for your home. You may also book an appointment to visit a test center. 

One should be obtained if there are any of the three main Covid-19 symptoms: a high fever, continuous coughing or loss of senses of taste and smell.

If you don’t have any symptoms, the government says you can get a kit for PCR testing if you:

  • You’ve come in contact with someone positive for HIV and now you need to self-isolate
  • You’ve been requested to take a test at a local authority or by someone from NHS Test and Trace
  • If a doctor has requested that you have a test,
  • Participating in an official pilot program
  • To confirm positive results, you have been asked to undergo a blood test
  • A second test was ordered for you if your initial result is unclear.
  • You need to have a test done for any person you share symptom with.
  • You are a part of the National Tactical Response Group

Is there a shortage of PCR tests?

Possibly. Yesterday, the government website stated that physical tests were not offered at drive-through and walk-through testing sites throughout England at 11.30 a.m. 

According to the website, they were back in stock after 12pm.

Click here to send home tests for essential workers and the general public. They should reach you the next day. These items are currently in stock. 

What is the best time to isolate? 

The new guidelines, which were published yesterday, state that all persons who have been exposed to a confirmed Covid-19 patient should undergo a quick lateral flow test for at least one week. It will slow down spread. 

Individuals who develop symptoms or test positive for the disease are required to be isolated.  

Which were the most recent self-isolating rule changes?

Contacts of Omicron cases suspected of being in contact were informed that from November 30, they must isolate for 10 days, regardless of vaccination status.

But, that has changed now and is replaced by daily testing.

Is it possible to isolate yourself?

You must not go to work, school or public places – and work from home if you can. Public transport and taxis are not allowed. You cannot go to the shops for food or medicines.

You must also not have visitors in your home, including friends and family – except for people providing essential care. Also, you shouldn’t go outside to exercise.

If you are able to do so, the NHS recommends that you exercise either at home or outside.

FACE MASK

What have been the recent changes in face-masking rules?

Face masks can now be worn in a wider range of venues, according to the government. Face coverings have been mandatory in most indoor public venues such as theatres, cinemas, and places of worship since Friday. 

Did you know that face masks have been required in some countries since Friday last week? 

Public and public-facing staff have now been asked to cover their faces since Friday. 

  • Centres for community (including villages halls), youth centers, members clubs and social club
  • Libraries and public reading areas
  • For the count of votes, polling places and buildings
  • Places of worship
  • Crematorias and burial ground chapels
  • Visitors attractions and entertainment venues: museums, galleries and cinemas; indoor theatres; concert halls; cultural and heritage sites; indoor areas at aquariums, visitor farms; bingo halls. snooker halls. amusement arcades. adventure activity centres. indoor sports stadiums. indoor theme parks. casinos. skating rinks. bowling alleys. indoor play areas.
  • Public areas of hostels and hotels
  • Indoor areas in sports stadiums

Before Friday, where did you have to use face masks?  

Since November 30, both the public and employees in public areas have been obliged to use these face covers.

  • Shops, supermarkets and other places offering goods or services that are for sale (or hire)
  • Auktion houses
  • Post offices, banks and building societies, high-street solicitors or accountants, credit bureaus, short-term lenders, savings clubs, and money service companies
  • Estate and letting agents
  • There are many beauty and personal services available in these premises: hair stylists, barbers and nail technicians, manicure centres and massage rooms, as well as tattoo parlors and tattoo parlours.
  • pharmacies
  • Protected areas that offer veterinary care
  • Galeries for retail
  • retail travel agents
  • Take-outs that don’t allow for food and drink are not permitted on the premises
  • Shopping centres (malls, indoor markets)
  • Public transportation (aeroplanes/trains, trams/buses/coaches and ferries), taxis, and private hire vehicles
  • Any vehicle, including small ones, that is involved in a professional-facilitated driving lesson, practical driving tests, or any practical test for driving instruction.
  • Transport hubs include airports, railway and tram stations, terminals and maritime ports, as well as bus stations and terminals.

In pubs or restaurants will there be face mask regulations?

No. No. 

Face masks are not required for hospitality. 

Which were the most recent updates to the rules for face masks?

Face masks became compulsory in England starting November 30.

This was the first time since July 19th that law had allowed for face mask restrictions.

Face masks on Transport for London’s network were required between those dates but not in accordance with law.

This means that it wasn’t illegal until then to ride on the Tube without a helmet, although you might have been asked to leave if your mask was missing.

Officials stated that masks are not allowed in hospitality venues on November 30, because it is illegal to eat and drink with a mask.

TOUR RULES 

Was the red-list omitted? 

Hotel quarantine was lifted for travelers arriving in England at 4am this morning.

The red list was removed from all 11 countries because Omicron was spreading in the UK and the measures to stop cases being imported were less effective. 

What countries were included on the red-list up to today?

Some 11 countries in Africa had been added to the UK’s travel red list because of Omicron in recent weeks – Nigeria, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia. 

In what ways have travel guidelines for Britons been changed?

From 4am on Tuesday last week, everyone over 12 travelling to the UK needs to have taken a pre-departure test – either lateral flow or PCR – to prove they don’t have Covid-19. Even for people who have been vaccinated, this test is required.

Is it possible to test positive for HIV in another country?

Britons should contact the British consulate or embassy for assistance. Respect the quarantine laws in your country. 

You will be required to spend a few hundred pounds on quarantine at a government-approved facility or hotel. 

All medical expenses will have to be paid by the patient. After testing negative you can go home, however you will need to purchase a new flight.

Is there anything that happens when you return home?

Returned travellers should self-isolate in their home while they wait for the day two test. You must book a private PCR test and pay privately to a government-approved supplier before you go. When you receive a negative test result, it is necessary to isolate yourself.

How about insurance for travel?

Coronavirus coverage is available on some policies such as the ones offered by Post Office. It will cover trip cancellation, curtailment and international medical and repatriation expenses.

Is it possible to cancel your subscription? a foreign trip?

The law doesn’t allow you to get a refund. Most tour companies and airlines offer a coupon to allow you to rebook later. 

Which were the travel guidelines for countries on red lists?

Red list countries were not recommended for holiday travel. 

People returning from countries on the red list had to pass a pre-departure screening and be placed in quarantine at a hotel for 10 days. A second or eighth test was required. 

Quarantine costed £2,285 for a single adult and £1,430 for a second adult.  

What happens to you if quarantined?

According to a top official, travellers held at quarantine hotels are expected to be informed later today about when they will be freed.

Jonathan Mogford (the senior responsible officer of managed quarantine at the UK Health Security Agency) was interviewed about reports that some individuals were leaving hotels in the wake of England’s 4am red-list.

According to him, “The usual practice is that you must complete hotel quarantine if you’ve started it.” Omicron moved so fast that we need to delist them quickly.

“We are arranging the arrangements as fast as we can, however we have to ensure that we do not release Omicron or Covid-positive guests as soon as we can.” 

Are there many people who have tested positive in quarantine hospitals?

Today, MPs heard that there has been an ‘unprecedentedly strong rate’ of positive Covid cases among travelers who have been quarantined in red-list countries.

Jonathan Mogford, a UK Health Security Agency official said to the Transport Committee that the latest statistics suggest that almost 5% of hotel guests are happy.

Omicron positives make up at least one percent, but it is possible to have as high as three per cent. “About 5,000 people were through this round” of redlisting. 5 percent of those would translate into around 250 Covid-19 users.