LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 27: Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a press conference after cases of the new Covid-19 variant were confirmed in the United Kingdom on November 27, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Gilbert – Pool/Getty Images)
SRDTF News
UPDATED 5:19 PM PT – Saturday, November 27, 2021
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has increased coronavirus measures amid a newly discovered South African variant.
According to the U.K. Health Agency on Saturday, the first two reported cases of the new strain have been identified in the nation. The individuals have reportedly been placed under quarantine, along with members of their households.
It is unclear if additional cases have entered the U.K. with further testing and contact tracing set to be conducted. Johnson stressed the measures are critical for scientists to understand exactly what they are dealing with.
COVID UPDATE: All international arrivals entering England must take a day 2 PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result. pic.twitter.com/BuQcUzkFMb
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) November 27, 2021
“We’re not going to stop people traveling, I want to stress that. We’re not going to stop people traveling, but we will require anyone who enters the U.K. to take a PCR test by the end of the second day after their arrival and to self isolate until they have a negative result,” said Johnson.
The U.K. joins a growing list of nations, including Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel who have all identified cases of the new variant.