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Wearing masks, good ventilation and maintaining safe distance are all important habits we need to continue to try to halt the spread of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19.
New Omicron variant of COVID-19
One of the first cases of the new strain was identified in Brentwood at the weekend and targeted testing has been introduced there following the confirmed case.
This afternoon Government scientists emphasised that vaccines, particularly booster jabs, remain our best line of defence against the new strain.
Other measures:
- Face coverings will be made compulsory in shops and on public transport from today. But hospitality settings will be exempt
- All international passengers arriving into the UK must take a Day 2 PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result
- All contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate, regardless of their vaccination status. They will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace
The measures are precautionary and will be reviewed in 3 weeks.
Poster for businesses
Epping Forest District Council has been quick to act in helping local businesses by developing a poster they can download to encourage customers to wear a mask in their premises.
Information on face masks including a list of premises where face coverings are required and where they are not:
Other Government guidance
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