UK announces new travel rules to limit spread of Omicron variant
December 7, 2021, 7:19 am

UK announces new travel rules to limit spread of Omicron variant

Covid-19-test/Pixabay

The BBC reported that people coming to the UK must show proof of a negative Covid test before they travel, as new rules to limit spread of the Omicron variant come into effect.

It said that contacts of a suspected Omicron case are already required to self-isolate for 10 days, including the fully vaccinated.

According to the BBC, there are currently 336 confirmed cases of the new variant in the UK.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid has confirmed Omicron is spreading in the community in multiple areas of England.

He told MPs on Monday the variant was spreading "here and around the world" and that there were people who have tested positive for Omicron in the UK "with no links to international travel".

Aircraft-Air travel/Pixabay

People arriving in the UK already had to self-isolate until they received a negative PCR test on day two after their arrival.

With the introduction of the government's new measures, all travellers aged 12 and over will have to show proof of a negative PCR or lateral flow test - even if they are fully vaccinated - before setting off.

It must be taken no more than 48 hours before departure for the UK and private test providers must be used - so free NHS lateral flow kits are not allowed.

Scientists have raised concerns about how Omicron could interact with current vaccines, given the number and form of the mutations it exhibits.

It should be noted that of the confirmed cases of the variant, 261 were in England, 71 in Scotland and four in Wales - while Northern Ireland is yet to have a confirmed case.

Source: BBC

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”