We sent our photographer NEIL CROSS into the city, to see how things have changed.
9.
The Prime Minister said: “Based on everything we know, our vaccines and boosters remain our best line of defence, so it is more important than ever that people come forward when eligible to get boosted”.
10.
All contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of their age or vaccination status. They will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace.
11.
The Prime Minister said the measures are “proportionate and responsible” and will “buy us time in the face of this new variant”.
12.
Scientists are concerned by the Omicron, or B.1.1.529 variant, because it has a high number of spike protein mutations, potentially changing the behaviour of the virus with regards to vaccines, treatments and transmissibility.