The Government has today re-introduced several rules and restrictions to try and stop the spread of the new variant of Covid-19.

Following the emergence of the Omicron variant, which has been detected in the UK, from 4am face coverings became mandatory in shops and on public transport, and all travellers returning to the UK, regardless of vaccination status, are required to undertake PCR testing.

The temporary and precautionary measures were confirmed over the weekend, with face coverings also a compulsory requirement in settings such as banks, post offices and hairdressers, unless individuals are exempt from wearing one.

All travellers arriving into the country from 4am today, November 30, will be required to take a PCR test on or before day two and self isolate until they have received a negative test result.

The PCR tests must be purchased from private providers.

Free NHS tests are not valid for this purpose.

Under the UK presidency an urgent meeting of G7 health ministers was also convened on Monday to discuss the developments on Omicron.

The latets updates add to the measures rapidly implemented earlier this week to prevent the spread of the new variant including travel restrictions and meaning all close contacts of anyone who has tested positive for the Omicron variant are required to isolate for 10 days regardless of whether they have been vaccinated.

Blackburn with Darwen’s Director of Public Health, Prof Dominic Harrison, said: "Over the weekend, Directors of Public Health from across England have been closely monitoring developments around the new Omicron variant of Covid.

"At this stage, we believe it to be more transmissible than previous Covid variants, which means it’s more likely to be passed on from one person to another.

"However, we don’t yet know if this variant can make people more ill or put them at a higher risk of hospitalisation.

"I would urge everyone to take the threat of this new variant seriously and follow the new measures to help control the spread of Covid infection with this new variant.

"In Blackburn with Darwen, our secondary schools and colleges have already returned to mask-wearing in communal areas – we issued our own guidance almost two weeks ago amid concerns of extra pressures on our local NHS.

"Now, it is vital that everyone carries a face covering with them whenever they go out.

"My advice would be to go further than the government’s new rules of wearing masks in shops, banks, etc and on public transport, and to wear a face covering whenever we mix indoors with people we don’t live with."

Leader of the council, Councillor Mohammed Khan CBE, added: "Blackburn with Darwen has faced challenges during the pandemic, more so than many other areas of the country.

"As a community, we have pulled together before, and we can do it again.

"Let’s take all the precautions we can now to avoid having to face any tighter restrictions this winter, especially over Christmas and New Year when many of us are looking forward to precious time with family and friends."

MPs are due to debate and vote on new Covid restrictions in England, including face coverings in shops and public transport, on Tuesday – hours after they have come into force.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid told the Commons: “If it emerges that this variant is no more dangerous than the Delta variant, then we won’t keep measures in place for a day longer than necessary.”

He also said he is “confident” the responses he has set out are “balanced and responsible steps that are proportionate to the threat that we face”.

Mr Javid went on: “We always knew there would be bumps in the road, but this is not a time to waver, it’s a time to be vigilant and to think about what each and every one one of us can do to slow the spread of this new variant.”