It isn’t entirely clear yet if the Omicron variant of COVID-19 will prove to be disruptive in the same way that the Delta variant was, or if its very ominous name will prove to be the most unsettling thing about it. But given the events of the last year and a half, a number of governments around the world aren’t taking any chances — including New York’s governor, Kathy Hochul, declaring a state of emergency.
On the other side of the Atlantic, the government of the United Kingdom has also taken steps to address the new variant. As reported by Insider, new regulations enacted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson require international travelers arriving in England to self-isolate for two days, until they’ve passed a PCR test.
The article also notes that the other parts of the United Kingdom will likely put similar restrictions into place — and that the government will also address the new variant via heightened guidelines on mask-wearing.
According to the government’s updated list of guidelines, the new policies are set to go into effect on the morning of November 30. The U.K. government also updated its “red list” of countries from where international travelers will have to quarantine for 10 days, with PCR tests conducted on both the second and eighth days.
After November 30, lateral flow tests for COVID-19 will no longer be accepted for vaccinated travelers visiting the country — only PCR tests. It’s yet another step in addressing a constantly-shifting threat.
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