Covid19 : U.K. tightens travel rules
Travellers heading to the U.K. will now have to take a Covid test before their departure in an effort to limit spread of the virus, the government has said.
From 4am on Tuesday, everyone aged 12 and over will be required to take a pre-departure test a maximum of 48 hours before leaving. Currently people only need to self-isolate until they test negative within two days of arriving.
Britain’s health security agency on Sunday reported 86 new cases of the Omicron variant, taking the total number identified so far to 246.
In contrast, there were 160 Omicron cases on Saturday, which means that according to the U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) figures the nation has witnessed an increase of more than 50 % in 24 hours.
Almost 88% of people over the age of 12 in the U.K. have received their first dose of vaccine, and nearly 81% have received both doses, according to the latest figures.