As the nation aims to stop a “tidal wave” of Omicron cases, millions of Britons have been scrambling for Covid-19 booster jabs. They also ordered lateral flow and DNA tests.
Over one million people had boosters or booked them within the hour after the Prime Minister issued a television appeal to all adults for their support.
There have been long lines of people waiting for appointments up to five hours. The NHS booking system is under severe pressure, with as many as 57,000 appointments made per hour.
Boris Johnson today faces his biggest revolt since the end of his reign. Dozens of Tory MPs will vote against Plan B restrictions, which include vaccine passports.
Some claim that Covid passing – or showing proof of full vaccination, or having a negative recent test for the virus — is infringing on people’s civil liberties.
It is also important to consider the impact on the economy of the returning of working from home advice for city centres and towns at this crucial moment in the year.
MailOnline has answers to your questions regarding boosters or the Plan B rule change:
BOOSTER JABS
What does a booster jab do?
The booster jab, which is also known as the coronavirus vaccination, is offered to people who have received their second and third doses.
Do you have the right to order a booster shot in England?
However, you must be at least 30 to qualify. The 18-29-year-olds can apply for this privilege from tomorrow. However, they are already able to go to walk in centres.
Existe any exemptions for persons under 30 years old?
All frontline social and health workers, regardless of age, are eligible for the booster shot.
All persons 16 and older who have a condition which puts them at high risk from Covid-19 may also be eligible. Those conditions include long-term lung conditions, kidney disease and diabetes – and are listed in full on the NHS website here.
Do you still need 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 who visited the NHS website today were taken into a long queue.
Is it possible to have a positive Covid-19 Test?
A booster is only available to eligible patients who have passed a Covid-19 test. You will need to wait at least 28 days for the booster.
If you have symptoms or a positive result, this is the start of your jab. If necessary, you can cancel your appointment and rebook the jab at a later time.
What are the best ways to book your booster?
By clicking this link, you can order your booster from the NHS website. Although you don’t need it to book, the website will require your NHS number.
Also, you will be required to enter your date-of-birth and postal code so that the site can provide you with a list of all available appointments at different centers.
The appointment time will then be indicated. You can choose to click an hour or ten-minute slot.
The confirmation email will include a reference number. You can then use it to modify or cancel your appointment by clicking here.
Are you able to make an appointment?
Britons are still trying to find an appointment online for their booster jabs, and have been getting up at night to do so.
Today’s users were placed in a line and received a message that said: “You are currently in a waiting 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.
Sometimes, Britons were put in a line with certain people for 5 minutes. After that they were asked to start the process by entering their NHS number.
NHS stated that the service is “facing extremely high demand”. They encouraged patients to try again later today and tomorrow if they cannot get an appointment.
Which boosters have you booked so far?
In the time that Boris Johnson broadcast a television appeal for Omicron to stop a “tidal wave”, more than one million people had boosters or ordered them.
According to official statistics, 110,000 people booked boosters on the NHS website yesterday morning. This number rose to 415k by 5pm and 550,000 at 8pm.
Up to 57,000 bookings were made an hour – 16 a second – with 4.4million visitors to the appointments page by 8pm. There were 127,000 waiting online.
Britons line up to be given Covid-19 boosters by St Thomas’ Hospital in London today
Are you able to enter the other details of someone else in the system
According to the NHS, if you give someone’s consent without them being present for it, this is a breach of their terms of service and could lead to criminal charges. 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.
According to the NHS, some sites could also offer a walk in service for people aged 18-29 if there is enough capacity.
This means that anyone aged between 18 and 29 can get their booster vaccination today.
Is it busy at the walk-in centers?
Yes. Walking-in vaccine centers all over the UK have seen thousands of patients. Many people who tried to get boosters were subjected to long lines.
People had to wait for up to five hours before they could be seen. Others reported that people were turned away from certain parts of the country due to high demand.
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.
The third dose, which differs from a booster dose, is intended for patients who have had severe immune suppression since their first or second dose.
The NHS claims that they may have not received as much protection from the vaccine as people with a weaker immune system.
A booster dose can be given if you are a patient with severely compromised immune systems who has had the third dose. It is available starting at 91 Days after your last dose.
What was the origin of the booster drive?
Boris Johnson issued an “Omicron emergency” TV statement Sunday, 8:pm. It warned the public against believing that this variant would not cause serious illness.
The Prime Minister proposed the goal of giving a Covid-19 booster shot to all adults within a month. The original target was January 31st.
This has been moved to December 31. The PM stated that everyone who is eligible in England aged 18 or over will be given the opportunity to receive their booster prior to 2022.
Johnson stated that additional funding will be provided by the UK Government to help accelerate vaccines in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
This morning, people waited in line at the walk-in vaccine centre located near Cabot Circus.
What is the best way to get the booster engine working?
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 assisted with the deployment of 42 military planning units in each region, as well setting up more vaccine sites and mobile unit.
The clinic’s opening hours will increase to accommodate more patients, with appointments being available earlier in the morning and later in the evening.
What will the effect of the booster drive be on other areas?
Yes. Johnson indicated that the main focus will be on the boosters. Making the target reachable will also mean other appointments may need to wait until the new year.
He said, however, that Omicron’s wave ‘could become so large that cancellations or disruptions such as the loss of appointments for cancer would be even more severe next year’ if it isn’t done immediately.
How effective are two jabs compared to three?
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has determined that AstraZeneca’s and Pfizer’s vaccines offer a lower level of protection than Delta against Omicron-related symptoms.
However, the UKHSA claims that boosters provide around 70 to 75 percent protection against Omicron-associated symptoms.
What is the UK’s Omicron count and what are the recommended jabs?
To fight Omicron which causes around 200,000 infections per day and is the cause of approximately 840,000 new ones per day, the NHS needs to administer more booster jabs daily, according to Health Secretary.
Sajid Javid yesterday stated that Omicron has been confirmed in 4,713 cases. The UKHSA also estimates there are approximately 200,000 daily infections.
He said that Omicron is a significant component of over 20% of all cases in England. However, it has already risen to more than 44% in London. We expect Omicron to be the most dominant Covid 19 variant within the capital’s next 48 hours.
According to the Government, overall, 54,661 additional lab-confirmed Covid-19 patients were in the UK yesterday morning.
A mere 40% of people have had boosters, which means that an additional 17.2million are now eligible to get a third.
This would require more than 950,000 boosters per day to make it work, including Boxing Day and Christmas Day.
How high is the current UK Covid alert level?
The UK Covid Alert Level was increased to Level 4, just hours after the Prime Minister addressed the nation. This increase came in response to an exponential rise of Omicron-related cases.
After receiving advice from UKHSA, the four country’s chief medical officers as well as the NHS England’s National Medical Director made the recommendation to the 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.
Click here to visit the NHS site. There you will find information about your nearest location. Then click on the ‘get code’ button to get a code for that center.
What is the best way to order a lateral flow testing?
Click here to order your lateral flow test kit. However, the NHS requires that you only place an order online if you are unable to pick it up.
Is there a supply problem with the lateral flow test?
Yes. Yes. However, for the second straight day, it is not possible to order lateral flow tests via the Government Website. Some were still available early today.
This morning, a message was posted on the site stating that there are no home delivery options for tests. However, tests can be picked up from pharmacies.
The UKHSA stated yesterday that, ‘due in part to an exceptionally large demand, order lateral flow testing on gov.uk have been temporarily suspended to comply with existing orders.
Ministers claim that supply is not an issue, however there are restrictions on how the test results can be delivered.
The pharmacists encouraged customers to purchase testing kits at their local pharmacy. Many people reported finding out that the local pharmacy was out of stock.
Britons are eligible to receive lateral flow testing at no cost from any pharmacy on the NHS site
How do I perform a lateral flow study?
You should do lateral flow tests before you meet people or go to someone with a higher chance of contracting or spreading Covid-19.
Adults who have been double jabbed are now required to undergo a lateral flow testing every day for 7 days, if they meet someone with Covid-19.
What is the best time to get a PCR testing?
Click here to order a free PCR kit or to book an appointment at a drive-in/walk-in test site.
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 you can still get a kit for PCR testing if:
- If you have been in touch with someone who has tested positive, you will need to isolate yourself
- 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,
- You’re participating in a pilot government project
- You’ve been requested to take a test in order to verify a positive result.
- A second test was ordered for you if your initial result is unclear.
- It is important to test your partner if you have symptoms.
- You’re a member of the National Tactical Response Group
Do PCR testing supplies run out?
Possibly. At 11.30am, the government website stated that physical tests were not currently available at drive-through and walk-through testing sites across England.
They were however all in stock at 12pm, and they are also available in every region of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland according to the website.
Click here to send home tests for essential workers and the general public. They should reach you the next day. They are available in stock.
Is it necessary to isolate at all?
Today’s new guidance states that anyone who has been in contact with confirmed Covid-19 cases should be fully vaccinated and undergo a quick lateral flow test for one week. This will help to slow down the spread of the disease.
Individuals who develop symptoms or test positive for the disease are required to be isolated.
Was there any change in self-isolating rules that was made recently?
People who were identified as potential Omicron case contacts received information that they had to isolate themselves for 10 days starting November 30th, regardless of whether or not they had been vaccinated.
This has been replaced with the requirement for 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.
According to the NHS, you should exercise in your own home and/or in your backyard if possible.
VACCINE PASSPORTS
What exactly are vaccine passports?
All persons aged 18 and over are required to have a vaccination passport in order to visit certain outdoor or indoor settings.
The passport will be required for adults who wish to enter large indoor or outdoor events such as nightclubs and sports venues.
Is it okay to not be fully vaccinated?
The Government has accepted proof that a negative flow test was performed after it said it had considered all the evidence available since Omicron’s emergence.
People aged 18 and over will have to get mandatory vaccination passports starting from tomorrow
Are vaccine passports required in which country?
This policy will focus on situations where people mix together and are in close contact. Now, the Government confirms that this policy will cover:
- nightclubs, dancehalls, discotheques and other late night dance venues. They include any other venue that is open between 11 and 5 a.m., serves alcohol, has a dancefloor or designated area for dancing; and provides music (live or recorded) for the dancing.
- Indoor events that have 500 attendees or more, and where attendees may be expected to move about for part or all of the event (e.g. music venues with large audiences, or receptions),
- Events outdoors with more than 4,000 attendees unseated, in which those attendees may stand or move for any part of the event such as outdoor festivals or other outdoor celebrations;
- Any events that have more than 10,000 attendees, indoors and outdoors.
Why are vaccination passports brought into the country?
According to the Government, vaccine passports may allow places that were closed long before the pandemic started to be declared open again. They are better than closing all venues or placing limits on capacity or social isolation.
Welche settings could be excluded?
According to the government, certain settings would not be subject to passport restrictions would include funerals, communal worship and wedding ceremonies.
These exemptions also apply to outdoor, non-ticketed events that take place in public spaces such as protests or mass participation sports events.
What are the best vaccine passports?
Access the NHS Covid Pass by using the NHS App and NHS.UK. You can also send a letter via NHS.UK. Or call 119 to get it.
Is there a chance for a vote to be held in Parliament?
Yes. Boris Johnson is facing the largest revolt in his premiership’s history today, as three-quarters of Tory backbenchers plan to protest his Plan B vaccination passport measures.
As many as 79 Conservative MPs, which is equivalent to the working majority of the Government, are willing to vote against the plans to require a pass for entry to larger venues.
Downing Street suggests that hospitals could be closed without the use of vaccine passports. However, MPs are critical and claim these ‘illiberal’ measures won’t work.
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.
The passes can also be accepted if a positive PCR test is taken within the first 24 hours after entry. Scotland’s Covid passes can be called the NHS Scotland CoVID Status app.
How is Wales doing?
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.
People who have had a negative test within the last 48 hours can get their passes.
Similar to England, Wales also uses the NHS Covid Pass.
How is Northern Ireland currently?
Northern Ireland is following the same guidelines as Wales since November 29, which are in effect. From today, enforcement will be in effect.
Covid permits can be obtained by those residents who have had their vaccinations doubled or who tested negative less than 48 hours before entering the venue.
The pass in Northern Ireland is known as COVIDCert.
FACE MASKS
What have been the recent changes in face-masking rules?
Now, the Government has expanded the number of places where facial masks are required. The Government has made face-coverings mandatory for most public indoor venues (such as cinemas and theatres) since last 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.
- Community centres include village halls, youth centres, members clubs or social clubs
- Public libraries and reading rooms
- Locations and polling stations used to count votes
- Places of worship
- Crematorias and burial ground chapels
- Visitor attractions and entertainment venues include museums, galleries, cinemas. Indoor theatres. Concert halls. Cultural and Heritage Sites. Amusement arcades. Adventure activity centers. Indoor sports stadiums. Funfairs. Casinos. Skating rinks. Bowling alleys.
- Public areas of hostels and hotels
- Indoor areas in sports stadiums
What were the last places you had to put on facemasks prior Friday?
Since November 30, both the public and employees in public areas have been obliged to use these face covers.
- Shops and Supermarkets are places that sell goods or services to retail or for hire.
- Auction houses
- Banks, post offices, bank branches, building societies and high-street solicitors and accountants are all available. Credit unions, short term loan providers, savings club and money services businesses can also be found at these locations.
- Estate and letting agents
- Beauty and personal services (barbers, salons for hair, nails, manicure centres, spas, massage centers, tattoo parlours and others) are provided in these premises.
- pharmacies
- Establishments that provide veterinary services
- Retail galleries
- retail travel agents
- Takeaways that do not allow you to eat or drink in their premises
- Centres for shopping (malls or indoor markets).
- Public transportation (aeroplanes/trains/trams, buses, coaches, and ferries), taxis, and private hire vehicles
- any vehicle or car during an instructor-led driving class, a practical driving exam, or one of our practical driving tests, as well as all HGV lessons, tests, and exams
- 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.
Was there any recent change to the face-mask rules?
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.
It was legal to travel by Tube with a mask on, but it could be illegal to do so after that.
Officials claimed that the November 30th event was not open to masks because masks make it impossible for you to drink or eat while in a mask.
TOUR RULES
Which changes have been made to travel guidelines in recent years?
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. For those not vaccinated, the test must be taken.
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.
The quarantine period will take place in an approved government hotel. This could cost several hundred pounds.
All medical expenses will have to be paid by the patient. If you are negative for the test, you may be able to return home but need to fund a second flight.
Is there anything that happens when you return home?
The day-two test is for returning travellers only. The PCR test must be booked prior to you depart and purchased privately through a government-approved vendor. You should self-isolate until your negative test is confirmed.
Consider travel insurance.
Coronavirus protection is included in some policies like those provided by the Post Office. These policies include cancellation or curtailment coverage; repatriation and overseas medical costs.
How do you cancel? a foreign trip?
There is no legal right to request a refund. Most tour companies and airlines offer a coupon to allow you to rebook later.
Which countries are currently on the red-list?
Ten southern African countries have 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.
Which travel guidelines apply to red-list countries?
For holidays, you should avoid red-list countries. Red list countries must be tested before returning to the UK.
Quarantine currently costs £2,285 for a single adult and £1,430 for a second adult.