The government has confirmed that temporary and precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the new Omicron variant in the UK will come into force on 30 November.

Face coverings will be compulsory in shops and other settings such as banks, post offices and hairdressers, as well as on public transport unless individuals are exempt from doing so.

Additionally, all travellers arriving into the country from 4am on Tuesday 30 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. These PCR tests can be purchased from private providers. Free NHS tests are not valid for this purpose.

It is also expected that the Covid booster vaccination scheme could be significantly expanded as ministers try to combat the seemingly inevitable spread of the Omicron variant, with secondary school pupils being told to wear masks in communal areas. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is expected to advise the use of boosters for younger people, and could also recommend a cut in the current six-month wait between second and booster doses, it is understood.