The Prime Minister has announced new rules to protect ourselves and others from a new variant of COVID-19 called Omicron. This includes rules around people travelling in and out of the UK and testing requirements, as well as staying safe within the UK. The Omicron variant has extensive mutations from previous versions of the virus so we need to take urgent measures to protect ourselves from it. UK scientists are working hard to find out more about the new variant. In the meantime, we must all follow new guidelines to help slow its spread.
Below are the latest guidelines from Goverment which will be in force from 30th November.
We are also sharing the links to communications toolkits which have a wide variety of information, advice and guidance, as well as communications tools (social media assets, posters) and links – including in BSL and community languages, which we encourage people to share as widely as possible. Thank you for helping to keep people safe
NEW RULES FROM 30 NOVEMBER 2021
Face coverings
New COVID-19 rules on wearing face coverings in England will go ahead from tomorrow, 30 November.
Face coverings must be worn in shops and other similar businesses such as banks, post offices and personal care venues like hairdressers, as well as on public transport. This is enforceable by law and people face fines if they do not follow the rules.
People with certain medical conditions are exempt.
Travel
The Government is also bringing in measures to prevent new cases from abroad.
All travellers arriving into the country from 4am on Tuesday 30 November will be required to take a PCR test on day 2 and self isolate until they have received a negative test result. These PCR tests can be purchased from private providers.
A number of countries have been added to the red list. UK residents arriving from these countries must isolate in a government-approved facility for 10 days. During their stay, they will be required to take a coronavirus test on day 2 and day 8.
Isolation rules
If you come into contact with someone who tests positive with a suspected case of Omicron you will also have to self-isolate for ten days, even if fully vaccinated.
The new measures on our borders, self-isolation and face coverings will be reviewed in three weeks.
Vaccines
We have good reasons for believing booster vaccines will provide some protection from the new variant so it is important that everyone who is eligible for vaccines or a booster jab get them as soon as possible.
You can book online and join the 17 million people who have already had a booster or third jab.
By practising key safer behaviours and actions, we can continue to protect ourselves and others and help reduce the virus spreading.
Please encourage people in your community to follow these behaviours and actions that include: Wash your hands regularly; Test regularly; Stay at home when you feel unwell; Download and use the COVID-19 NHS App.
Ensuring these protections are a part of our everyday behaviours will control transmission of the virus. The details of the Prime Minister’s announcement are online. There is also a version of his announcement on YouTube with BSL.
COMMUNICATION TOOLKITS AND ASSETS IN COMMUNITY LANGUAGES FOR SHARING
International Newcastle supports the national and local effort to share up to date Covid-19 information and guidance, including national toolkits and communications assets, which can be shared with different language and cultural communities (including British Sign Language), through networks and intermediaries, on social media and within community settings.
Click here to download 25th November toolkit
Key messages are:
- People aged over 40, and those aged 16 and 17, can book their boosters and second doses online via the NHS.
- New evidence confirms the safety of jabs for pregnant women.
- Following safer behaviours can help keep COVID-19 from spreading in the run up to the festive season.
The toolkit contains:
- Guidance for winter and the festive season, booster vaccine programme and Covid passes
- Assets for social media around Covid-19 and flu vaccines and how to book
- Links to guides on the importance of regular testing and how to do rapid flow tests – in different formats and languages
- Communications assets in community languages about safer behaviours to prevent the spread of the virus
- Link to the Covid-19 Resource Centre and assets in community languages
Previous toolkits and resources in different languages
Click here to access the other toolkits with a wide range of resources such as posters, videos, images and information in different languages.
More information for people in Newcastle
Click here to access more information about Covid-19 related activities and support specific to Newcastle.
We appreciate any sharing of this information to help keep Newcastle and all our residents safe.