The latest “variant of concern”, the Omicron Variant has been identified in two separate cases in South-West London. The new and potentially more transmissible variant was first declared under the most severe level of classification by the World Health Organisation on Friday the 26th of November. And since then, a total of 22 cases of the newest variant have been found in the UK, with two of those coming from Sutton and Wandsworth respectively.

Alongside the London locations, the variant has also been detected in Essex, Nottinghamshire and at two locations in Scotland; all areas have seen a heavy increase in testing and contact tracing.

Those who have tested positive, alongside their contacts, are isolating the UKHSA confirmed.

In response to the variant’s recent spread, the government have confirmed that all adults will be set to be offered a vaccine booster jab by the end of January, in conjunction with this, the government have also reintroduced mandatory face coverings in shops and other settings such as banks, post offices and hairdressers, as well as on public transport.

Anyone coming into the country from 4am on Tuesday the 30th of November will be required to take a PCR test on or before day 2 and self-isolate until they have received a negative test result.