THE OMICRON variant is spreading in communities across the UK, Sajid Javid revealed today.
The health secretary announced there are now 336 cases of the new Covid strain in the country.
In an update to MPs this afternoon he said many of the new infections aren’t linked to international travel.
He told the Commons: “The Omicron variant is continuing to spread here and around the world.
“According to the latest data there are now 261 confirmed cases in England, 71 in Scotland and four in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases across the UK to 336.
“This includes cases with no links to international travel. So, we can conclude that there is now community transmission across multiple regions of England.”
Mr Javid formally announced new travel restrictions which will see all arrivals in the UK require a pre-departure test from 4am tomorrow.
He said the Omicron variant has now been found in 52 countries including many in Europe.
But he added that the UK’s rapid booster vaccine rollout means the UK is in good shape to fight the new strain.
He said: “We cannot say for certain what it means for our response but we can say we’re doing everything in our power to strengthen our national defences.
“We’ll be as prepared as possible for whatever this virus brings.”
