UK travel ban list expands to 10 countries including Malawi, with strengthened entry restrictions

Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom [Photo by Reuters]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The UK has strengthened entry restrictions for all countries after confirming cases of the COVID-19 variant virus 'Omicron.'

On the afternoon of the 27th (local time), UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson held an emergency press conference and announced that all individuals entering the UK must self-isolate until a PCR test on the second day after arrival confirms a negative result. Until now, those who had completed COVID-19 vaccination upon entering the UK were not required to self-isolate, provided they took a PCR or antigen test two days after entry.

Prime Minister Johnson also explained that anyone who has come into contact with a confirmed case infected with the Omicron variant must self-isolate for ten days regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status.

However, Johnson did not specify when the new guidelines would be implemented.

Johnson stated that measures to mandate mask-wearing on public transportation and in shops are being considered, with Health Secretary Sajid Javid expected to make a decision and announcement early next week.

On the same day, the UK government added four countries?Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Angola?to the list of travel ban countries. This brings the total number of African countries banned from travel to the UK to ten, including South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, and Botswana.

Earlier, Health Secretary Javid announced that cases of the Omicron variant had been confirmed in the Chelmsford and Nottingham areas, and that the two individuals currently self-isolating had traveled to South Africa.