As the government continues to gather information on the new Omicron COVID variant, what are the new travel rules, when do they come in, and how long will they last? Sky News explains the changes.
What’s the latest?
All international arrivals to the UK, including children over the age of 12, will again be required to take pre-departure COVID-19 tests to tackle the spread of the new Omicron variant.
The move coincides with Nigeria being placed on the red travel list – and represents the biggest change to the UK’s travel rules in quite some time.
The testing rule applies to all travellers visiting the UK or returning from a holiday, regardless of vaccination status, and will come into force from 4am on Tuesday 7 December.
Tests must be taken a maximum of 48 hours before the departure time.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said it was because of an “increasing number of cases linked to travel”.
In addition, from 4am on Monday 6 December, Nigeria will be on the red travel list.
It joins several southern African nations which were put on it after the Omicron variant was first…
