Boris Johnson has announced that his Plan B will address coronavirus, and work-from home guidance will resume. Covid health certificates will become compulsory in large venues. Mask rules will be expanded to combat Omicron variant.
Omicron can be doubled every 2 or 3 days, according to Prime Minister.
He strengthened England’s laws and the PM suggested that Christmas parties could be continued. But he urged caution for those who were under threat from a Rule-Breaking festive bash held in No. 10 last year.
Tomorrow’s mandatory mask wear will continue in indoor venues like theatres, cinemas, and places of worship. However, it will no longer be necessary to use public toilets or restaurants. On Monday, guidance will return to allow you to work remotely if possible.
As the PM has set forth his responsible and proportionate measures, the NHS Covid pass will be available for those who have had two vaccinations or passed a negative lateral flow testing.
Johnson had to insist that the public understood the “vital importance” of these measures when he was asked how the public could accept his rules after anger at allegations that staff members broke Covid rules during a December 18th party.
MailOnline examines what these changes will mean to you.
VACCINE PASSPORTS
What exactly are vaccine passports?
For all persons over 18 years old, mandatory vaccination passports are required when you visit certain indoor and outdoor settings.
The passport will be required for adults who visit large indoor and outdoor events or nightclubs.
Are you not completely vaccinated yet?
After the Government stated that it has ‘considered all evidence’ since Omicron was born, the Government will accept proof of negative lateral flow testing.
Are vaccine passports required in which country?
This policy will focus on situations where people mix together and are in close contact. These settings, according to the government, are expected to include:
- All nightclubs, bars and other venues are open until 1am for alcohol, music, and dancing
- Indoor events that have 500 attendees or more are best where attendees can mix and move freely.
- An outdoor event with more than 4,000 people is best.
- Anything with over 10,000 attendees such as sports stadiums or music venues.
The reason why are vaccination passports brought into the country?
The government stated that vaccine passports can allow closed venues to reopen after the pandemic. This is preferable to shutting down venues completely or setting capacity limits or social distancing.
Welche settings could be excluded?
The Government had previously indicated that certain settings would not be subject to passport restrictions, such as communal worship and wedding ceremonies.
Also, exemptions will apply to unticketed, free outdoor events held in public places, including street parties and protests, as well as mass participation sporting events.
What are the best vaccine passports?
You can access the NHS Covid Pass via the NHS App, NHS.UK and by writing via NHS.UK. Or calling 119.
According to the Government, hundreds of venues and events have made voluntary use the NHS Covid Pass. This displays an individual’s Covid status based on vaccine, test, or natural immunity.
Why isn’t the legislation updated immediately?
According to the Government, businesses will have a week notice in order for them to implement certification starting next Wednesday, 12/15.
Working from Home
How does the new direction look for working at home?
According to the Government, “those who are able” will be encouraged to work at home starting next Monday (December 13, 2013).
How long ago did working from home advice last evolve?
On July 19, the Government lifted guidance on working from home lifted, but also said employers should ensure a ‘gradual’ return to the workplace over the summer.
Why does the Government do this?
The government stated that it wanted to Reduce transmission risks inside and outside of offices by using public transportation less often.
This group wants to cut back on face-to face social gatherings and activities and reduce household transmission.
How has the government identified potential risks related to WFH
According to the Government, many individuals have poor working conditions in their homes, especially younger workers. Those who live alone, or are suffering from mental illness, could be affected by reduced interaction with coworkers.
Working from home can also pose challenges, such as limiting the flow of ideas and stifling creativity. This could lead to a lackluster work environment that hinders collaboration.
It is possible to work from home, according to the government. This could affect client service and training.
FACE MASK
What are the changes in face-mask rules?
The government has increased the range of locations where masks may be needed.
According to the report, covering your face will be mandatory in public indoor spaces such as theatres, cinemas, and places of worship, starting tomorrow.
Later today, when the complete list of setting should be clearer, face covering regulations will also be made in Parliament.
For pubs and restaurants, will face-mask rules be introduced?
No. There will be exceptions for situations where it’s not practical to use a mask such as while you’re eating, drinking, or exercising.
Face masks are not required for hospitality.
Which were the most recent updates to face-mask rules?
Face masks became compulsory in England starting November 30.
Since July 19, when the lockdown was officially lifted, this marked the beginning of 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.
SELF-ISOLATION AND TESTING
If you’re a confirmed Omicron contact, will you be required to self-isolate?
No. It is not.
They said testing would be a ‘vital tool’ in controlling the spread of Omicron and there was ‘now demonstrated community transmission’ of the variant.
Are you able to perform more tests?
Yes. The Government has advised that everyone should test using a lateral flow device, ‘particularly before entering a high-risk setting involving people you wouldn’t normally come into contact with, or when visiting a vulnerable person’.
Do the tests cost nothing?
Yes. No. Lateral flow devices are available for free at local pharmacies. Click here to generate a QR code that can be used for collection.
Was there any change in self-isolating rules that was made recently?
Contacts of Omicron cases suspected of being in contact were informed that from November 30 they must isolate for ten consecutive days, regardless of vaccination status.
This is changing, however.
How does it actually feel to be self-isolated?
You must not go to work, school or public places – and work from home if you can. It is against the law to use public transportation or taxis or travel outside for food or medicine.
You must also not have visitors in your home, including friends and family – except for people providing essential care. You should also not exercise outside.
If you are able to do so, the NHS recommends that you exercise either at home or outside.
ROUTES FOR TRAVEL
Do the travel regulations also need to change?
They haven’t changed, however.
What has changed in travel regulations recently?
From 4am on Tuesday, 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.
If you have positive results from an overseas test, what should you do?
Britons should consult the British consulate and embassy to get advice. Respect the quarantine laws in your country.
The quarantine period will take place in an approved government hotel. This could cost several hundred pounds.
Any medical treatment that is required will be covered by you. 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 will need to self-isolate your results until they are negative.
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?
There is no legal right to request a refund. However, most airlines and tour operators will issue a voucher that you can use to book another flight at a later time.
Which countries are currently on the red-list?
Ten southern African countries were added to the UK’s travel red list because of Omicron – South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia. Nigeria was also added at 4 am on Monday.
How do you travel to countries on the red list?
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.
The next steps?
These temporary measures are taken to stop Omicron-related cases entering the UK. The three-weekly review point will examine them on December 20.
RATIONALE HEALTH
Is Plan B going to slow down the spread Omicron’s?
The Government is being advised by scientists who believe that Omicron should be slowed down.
The data that helped the UK go into lockdown in March 2020 was provided by Professor Neil Ferguson from Imperial College London. He said yesterday, “The case numbers of Omicron have been doubling every three or four days,” and it is accelerating rapidly.
Lockdowns were a possible outcome, however, he said that working remotely could help slow down the spread of disease.
He stated that there is an epidemiological reason to slow down the process. This was to allow us to inject boosters to people, as we believe people who have been boosted are most protected, and also give us time to better understand the threat.
His suggestion was to create a Plan B Plus, where you can work from home. This would slow down Omicron’s doubling rate and reduce it to once every five or six working days.
How does the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies view these issues?
Sage stated that Plan B measures have the most impact if they are implemented in one-time.
Scientists advising Government say that the most effective way to stop the spread is by working remotely.
React from Imperial College London found that working at home reduces the risk of contracting Covid-19 in the earlier stages of the pandemic.
An analysis of occupational risk also shows that there is a lower chance for jobs with more work from home.
UK NATIONS
Every nation’s handling of pandemics is handled by its own leader. Here is an example of how Scotland and Wales differ from England.
Scotland
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 24 hours from entry to a venue has been included in the pass. Scotland’s Covid passes can be called the NHS Scotland CoVID Status app.
Wales
Wales has a vaccine passport system that is in effect in theatres, cinemas, concert halls, nightclubs, and other large venues.
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.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland followed the same regulations as Wales which were in effect since November 29. The enforcement of the rules will begin December 13. Covid permits can be downloaded by residents who have been double-vaccinated and/or tested negative within 48 hours.
The pass in Northern Ireland is known as COVIDCert.
Is it possible to predict how long the English new rules will last?
According to the government, they will not review the revised rules until January 5, while the law which imposes them won’t run out until January 26.