Timeline of Omicron's spread as new Covid variant found in UK

Three cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant have been detected in the UK and measures are being introduced to slow its spread.

Discover how the variant went from an emerging cause for concern in southern parts of Africa to arriving in the UK.

November 23
UK scientists become aware of the new strain after samples are uploaded to a coronavirus variant tracking website from South Africa, Hong Kong and then Botswana.

November 25
Downing Street says the variant will be kept under “close investigation”.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid says early indicators show it may be more transmissible than the Delta variant and the vaccines may be less effective against it.

It is announced that from the next day, six southern African countries – South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Botswana – will be added to the travel red list, meaning flights are suspended.

People arriving before then are told to isolate themselves at home and have a PCR test on day two and day eight. Anyone who arrived up to 10 days prior is also told to take tests.

Mr Javid says scientists are “deeply concerned” about the variant.

November 26
Scientists describe the variant as “very serious”, with Prof James Naismith, director of the Rosalind Franklin Institute, declaring it will “almost certainly” make the vaccines less effective.

Mr Javid updates MPs in the Commons on the variant, called B.1.1.529, saying it “is highly likely that it has now spread to other countries”.

He tells of “very live” discussions over the prospect of adding further countries to the red list.

Mr Javid confirms the government is still following Plan A for managing Covid-19 in the autumn and winter but warns “if we need to go further, we will”.

Downing Street later urges those who have recently returned from one of the six southern African countries not to wait for NHS Test and Trace to contact them before getting tested.

After the news, around £72 billion ($96.07bn) is wiped off London’s top shares as the FTSE 100 drops by 3.6 per cent, one of its biggest falls since the early days of the pandemic in March 2020.

Later in the day, it is designated a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation, and named Omicron.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss the challenges of the variant.

November 27
Two cases of the Omicron Covid-19 variant are discovered in Brentwood and in Nottingham, the Department of Health and Social Care announces.

The people who tested positive, and all members of their households, are retested and told to isolate themselves.

Mr Javid says the two cases are linked, as Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola are added to the travel red list.

Mr Johnson hosts a public briefing in Downing Street alongside England’s chief medical officer, Prof Chris Whitty, and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.

He tells the nation the new strain appears to spread “very rapidly”, can transmit between the double-vaccinated and may partially reduce the protection of existing vaccines.

To slow the “seeding” of the virus, Mr Johnson says anyone who enters the UK must take a PCR test by the end of the second day of their arrival and isolate themselves until they receive a negative result.

All contacts with a suspected case of the new variant will have to isolate for 10 days, regardless of their vaccination status.

Compulsory mask-wearing will also return in England’s shops and on public transport in the coming week, falling back into line with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but will not be required in pubs and restaurants.

Prof Whitty says the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation will look at whether the booster programme can be extended down to the over-18s, and whether second doses should be offered to 12 to 15-year-olds.

Mr Vallance warns the country needs to “face up” to the possibility the variant will be a “major issue” if it turns out to be highly transmissible and evades immunity.

November 28
It is announced that a third person tested positive for the variant after travelling to the UK, and the case is linked to travel to southern Africa.

The UK Health Security Agency said the person was no longer in the UK, but targeted testing is being carried out at locations they visited.

It said that while in the UK, the person was in Westminster, central London.

Mr Javid announces new mask-wearing rules for shops and public transport in England will come into force on Tuesday.

He said he expected advice on broadening the booster programme from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

Mr Javid said the testing regime for international arrivals will be introduced “as soon as possible”, with online passenger locator forms stating PCR tests rather than lateral flow tests are required from 4am on Tuesday. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland say they intend to copy the border restrictions.