With the UK set for its biggest New Year’s Eve celebrations yet, more than half (54%) of the country already have plans to go out this year, and just 4% plan to stay home and have an early night, according to a new survey by Skiddle.
Seven in 10 Brits will spend a minimum of £75 on their night out this year, with London, Manchester and Liverpool named as the UK’s best party cities for this year’s NYE celebrations.
One third of the population are aiming to make up for lost time by becoming the ultimate hardcore party goers, and have boasted they’ll be the last ones standing at a house party. Meanwhile, one in ten Brits admit they’ll probably end up in the local kebab shop before stumbling home, whilst 7% reckon their night will end somewhere they’ll regret the next day.
Not all of the UK feels the same though, almost half (43%) of Norwich residents are planning to celebrate their New Year’s Eve how it began – on the sofa.
While London, Manchester and Liverpool took the crown as nightlife capitals, Bristol and Glasgow stake the claim as the UK’s hardest partiers, with more than half of residents in the cities ALWAYS hitting the town to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
Those expecting a kiss at midnight from a loved one might need to think again as it was also revealed that two thirds of Brits (67%) will spend New Year’s Eve with their mates rather than their partner (28%), although Southampton bucked the trend with one in six planning to ring in the New Year with their sweethearts. In Norwich, one in seven residents (14%) will spend New Year’s alone, while a quarter of Yorkies are opting to spend the quality time with their four-legged friends.
New Year’s Eve is notoriously known for being an expensive night out, but Skiddle’s research revealed that 7 in 10 Brits will spend a minimum of £75 on their night out this year, and 1 in 10 a minimum of £250, with drinks topping the list for their expenditure.
Jamie Scahill, Head of Marketing at Skiddle, commented: ‘We are delighted to see that so many people are planning to go out and party this New Year’s Eve, we all have a lot of making up to do after last year being cancelled. Going off our sales data, this could be the biggest New Year’s Eve ever we’ve seen.’
Skiddle, the leading Ticket Sales, Clubs Listings, Events & What’s On Guide website in the UK, surveyed its customers to find the UK’s best party cities and help Brits plan their BEST NIGHT EVER.
The research revealed that bars and clubs (35%), or live events (28%) are the most popular options, with just 3% of Brits planning to have a quiet one this year.
To plan a New Year’s Eve to remember (or for the last minute planners), head to Skiddle to view their city guides, detailing the best events this NYE: www.skiddle.com
Smokehead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, one of the fastest growing single malts in the UK and globally, is once again twisting tradition with their latest release, Twisted Stout.
The brand-new limited-edition expression has been part finished in stout casks, priced at RRP £49.99 and with an ABV of 43%, it is only available to purchase exclusively from www.smokehead.com
Intertwined with the intense smack-in-the-tastebuds smoke you’d expect from Smokehead, the creamy, malty stout flavour adds unfamiliar notes of rich chocolate and treacle toffee, vanilla ice cream, roasted nuts, and toasted biscuits.
Wrapped up in a striking new pack design, the ever-courageous brand’s new and innovative release is available to buy now only from www.smokehead.com
Commenting on the launch Iain Weir, Smokehead Brand Director said “Our unique and disruptive Smokehead thinking has led to some convention challenging, trail blazing, rule breaking whiskies over the years that don’t follow the usual traditions and rituals.
“We’ve clearly struck a chord with those who do things their way, live life on their own bold terms, and pick a whisky that’s as disinterested in the status quo as they are. Twisted Stout is as far away from a standard single malt as the combination of tastes, aromas and flavours inside the bottle.
“So, while all our releases come with an original twist, our latest might just be our most twisted yet. Which is just how we like things.”
SMOKEHEAD TWISTED STOUT TASTING NOTES:
THE FIRST IMPRESSION
The usual island intensity of Smokehead comes cloaked in sweet aromas of chocolate and treacle toffee. Maritime air meets a decent pint on the shore. Unexpected. Unusual. And unsettling for the senses.
THE FULL-ON FLAVOUR
You’re past the point of no return now. Hot and soothing at the same time. Salty smoke weaves its way around dry roasted nuts, toasted marshmallow, vanilla ice-cream and… is that someone putting a pot of fresh coffee on?
THE FINALE
New flavours unlocked. Old favourites reunited, wood smoke and spices. Malty, toasted biscuits. Zingy citrus. Dark and delicious. A fitting sign-off from the twisted lovechild of whisky and beer.
Smokehead also grabbed the headlines recently with the launch of the first-ever pre-mixed single malt in a ready to drink can serve. Kick-starting the brand-new ready to drink range with two eye-popping serves: ‘Smokehead mixed with Cola’ and ‘Smokehead mixed with Ginger and Lime’, both available to buy online via Amazon, Smokehead.com and other UK selected retailers.
The Smokehead core range (see below) is also available globally via online and instore.
CORE SMOKEHEAD EXPRESSIONS:
SMOKEHEAD
Smokehead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the original expression, an intensely rich yet subtly sweet dram. With immense smoke and notes of sea salt and spice, this is a vigorous whisky that stands out from the crowd.
HIGH VOLTAGE
If Smokehead is an assault on your senses, then High Voltage is an all-out attack. The breath-taking intensity of the peat and smoke is a red light for the faint of heart.
RUM REBEL
The rich, smoky, salty Islay whisky rebel is finished in spicy, sweet Caribbean rum casks creating culture colliding carnage and a melding of mouth-watering tastes.
SHERRY BOMB
Smokehead Sherry Bomb is a peaty Islay single malt that has well and truly earned its name. Blasted by rich, sweet and spicy Spanish sherry casks, it had emerged as a fiery, explosive, heavy hitting dram that has even turned our skull red.
The festive season is the perfect time to get glam. Forget your favourite loungewear and try something new. Maybe a red lip or a brand new hairstyle. Unlike last year, we are able to go ‘out out’ this Christmas and New Year.
Local salon owner at SESH Hairdressing SIMON HILL has put together some styles you can create at home for the festivities:
Cool Girl Texture –
This style is perfect if you like an understated style that still looks cool and pairs perfectly with a sparkly, show stopping outfit.
The key to this look is in the products you use. Use your straightening iron to add as much or as little texture as you like. Slightly bend the hair between the irons in alternating directions to create a subtle shape.
Finish with a texturising hairspray and use your fingers to manipulate the shape and style of your hair. The key to this look is not to be too ‘perfected’ so embrace that slightly undone look.
Product recommendation – Wella EIMI Sugar Lift .
Top Knot –
Not just a style reserved for the day before hair wash, but a style that can elevate any Christmas party outfit.
To give this look a polished edge to make it party friendly, spend time smoothing your hair into a ponytail before creating the bun. Use your hair brush to smooth your hair towards the bobble to remove any unwanted lumps.
Take the length of your ponytail and wrap around your hair tie before securing with hair grips. Finish with strong hold hairspray to withstand Scottish winter weather.
Product recommendation – Wella Luxe Oil.
Sleek and Sophisticated –
Bang on trend at the moment is this slick back, sophisticated style. Give this look an update for the festive season with a deep side parting like we have done here.
Use a lightweight hair gel or pomade to remove unwanted texture and smooth your hair back towards the nape of your neck. If you have short hair, try leaving it down, smoothed behind your ears. If your hair is longer, try tying it into a low bun or a sleek ponytail.
Product recommendation – Eleven Australia Dry Shampoo Volume Paste
Vava Volume –
This style embodies Christmas time and is sure to turn heads on NYE.
Use your hairdryer to add lots of volume to your hair before your begin styling. Depending on the look you want, you can add a soft wave through your hair once dry. Take the top section of your hair and create that volume at the front to give an air of drama to your style.
Use a back comb to create this and apply dry shampoo to the roots of your hair to give it more grip and hold. Secure with hair grips towards the crown of your head before using your fingers to gently pull out loose strands. This look is guaranteed to take your Christmas night out outfit to the next level.
Product recommendation – Eleven Australia Dry Finish Wax Spray.
Powerful new video shows their experiences of severe COVID-19 during pregnancy
Pregnant women are being urged to get the vaccine by unvaccinated mothers
Powerful new video shows their experiences of severe COVID-19 during pregnancy
98% of pregnant women in hospital with symptomatic COVID-19 are unvaccinated
Vaccines continue to provide tens of thousands of pregnant women and their babies with vital protection from the virus
Unvaccinated women who suffered with COVID-19 during their pregnancies have told their harrowing stories of battling the virus, from being hospitalised to having emergency c-sections, as part of a new campaign encouraging expectant mothers to get the vaccine.
The video features three women who experienced serious complications after contracting COVID-19 before they’d been vaccinated, as well as the doctors and frontline staff who treated them, to warn of the dangers of the virus for pregnant women and their babies.
Medical expert Professor Asma Khalil from Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is also interviewed as part of the powerful new film and provides further reassurance on the importance of the vaccine.
Data published last week by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows the vaccines are safe for mothers and their babies, with good birth outcomes for vaccinated women who had their babies up to August this year. There were no consistent differences between vaccinated women and all women in the figures for stillbirths, low baby birthweights and premature births.
Nearly 1 in 5 COVID-19 patients who are most critically ill are pregnant women who have not been vaccinated. Of those pregnant women in hospital with symptomatic COVID-19, 98% are unvaccinated, and no fully vaccinated pregnant women were admitted to intensive care with COVID-19 in England between February and the end of September 2021. Around 1 in 5 women who are hospitalised with the virus need to be delivered preterm to help them recover and 1 in 5 of their babies need care in the neonatal unit.
The women who feature in the new, short film have issued an urgent plea calling on expectant mothers to take up the vaccine as soon as possible to protect themselves and their babies.
Christina, a mental health therapist from Guildford who was hospitalised with COVID-19 in her third trimester and had to give birth via emergency c-section, said: “I went into hospital in my third trimester, and I thought I was going to deliver a baby but the next thing I know, I was being told I had COVID-19.
“Symptoms started to arise and I quickly deteriorated. I was rushed in for a CT scan because the doctors feared I was having a pulmonary embolism.
“I had to give birth via emergency c-section because there was concern that I could have a stillbirth. It was terrifying.
“I don’t know what the future holds for me and my baby; I’m still suffering with symptoms now along with the anxiety of not knowing how or when I’ll recover. I would urge pregnant women to get vaccinated because I don’t want anyone to experience what I went through.”
Tanviha, who works in anaesthesiology and research in Manchester, spent two months in hospital with COVID-19 following an emergency c-section, said: “I caught COVID-19 during my second pregnancy in February earlier this year.
“At the time, the vaccine wasn’t available to me and I quickly took a turn for the worse. I was rushed into hospital and went straight into intensive care where my condition deteriorated and my son was delivered by emergency c-section.
“I was put to sleep and intubated, and my family were told it was unlikely I’d survive and to prepare for the worst. The day after I was intubated, the nurse told them they were going to switch the machine off, but instead I was transferred to an Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine, which is a last resort for patients with severe heart and lung failure, and it saved my life.
“The first time I saw my son he was two months old. It’s the scariest experience of mine and my family’s life but I’m just grateful that me and my son are alive. If you’re unsure about getting vaccinated please come forward and get your jab, not everyone’s as lucky as I am.”
Joanne, a makeup advisor from Lincolnshire suffered complications with her pregnancy after catching COVID-19. She said: “I had been unsure what was the right thing to do about getting vaccinated while pregnant. I was planning on having the jab after my daughter was born but I caught COVID-19 when I was 35 weeks pregnant and became seriously ill, I couldn’t get out of bed for a week.
“I had nearly recovered but something just didn’t feel right. I couldn’t feel my baby kicking so I made an urgent appointment to see my midwife. The team at the hospital quickly spotted the baby’s growth had dropped and her fluid was low.
“Her heartbeat was going down and down so the consultant rushed me off for an emergency caesarean when Mollie-Ann was born. I’m so grateful to the maternity team for keeping me and my baby safe and I just wish I’d been vaccinated sooner.”
The vaccines are safe for pregnant women and have no impact on fertility, which has been made extremely clear by the government, its senior clinicians and a range of independent experts from stakeholder groups such as RCOG, the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and the British Fertility Society.
Since April 2021, around 84,000 pregnant women have received one dose and over 80,000 have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Out of all women between the ages of 16 and 49 on ECMO – a form of life support for the sickest of patients – in intensive care, pregnant women make up almost a third (32%) – up from just 6% at the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care and Honorary Consultant Obstetrician, said: “The stories shared as part of this film are heartbreaking and provide invaluable, first-hand insight into why accepting the offer of a COVID-19 vaccine is so important for mothers and their babies.
“Getting the vaccine is one of the most vital ways in which you can protect yourself and your baby from COVID-19, which can be really dangerous for pregnant women – of those pregnant women in hospital with symptomatic COVID-19, 98% are unvaccinated.
“Watch the film, speak to your clinician or midwife if you have any questions or concerns, and book in your vaccine without delay.”
Professor Asma Khalil, spokesperson for Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: “We are very concerned about the number of pregnant women who haven’t been vaccinated against COVID-19.
“We know that the COVID-19 can cause severe illness in pregnant women with a disproportionate number of unvaccinated pregnant women in intensive care. If a woman contracts COVID-19, evidence shows they are more likely to have a preterm birth or stillbirth.
“Our message is clear, COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy is safe, it is not linked to an increased risk of miscarriage or stillbirth, and it’s the best way of protecting you and your baby from the virus. We are recommending all pregnant women have their COVID-19 vaccines, including their third dose booster vaccine when they are offered it.’’
The proportion of women who gave birth and were vaccinated during pregnancy has been steadily increasing since 16 April 2021, when the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised all pregnant women should be offered two vaccine doses at the same time as the rest of the population, based on their age and clinical risk group.
Pregnant women aged 40 and over who are health or social care workers, or are in an at-risk group, are now also eligible for booster vaccines three months after their second dose and will soon be able to book an appointment. Younger age groups will be invited by the NHS in order of age in due course.
The UK government is working closely with RCOG, RCM and other key stakeholders on engaging with women who are either pregnant or thinking about pregnancy and providing them with the latest advice and information at every possible opportunity. It’s also working with faith and community leaders to increase vaccine uptake, holding regular meetings to discuss the best ways to provide information to their communities.
The Chief Midwifery Officer for England, Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, has also written to fellow midwives and GP practices across the country stressing the need to encourage pregnant women to get the jab.
Liz, head of maternity at Epsom and St Hellier Hospital Trust who features in the film, said: “We are treating more and more unvaccinated pregnant women with COVID-19. The vaccine is safe for pregnant women and is the best way to keep you and your baby, safe and out of hospital. Getting vaccinated works: across England, no pregnant woman that has had two vaccinations has been admitted to hospital due to COVID-19.
“You can receive vaccination at any time in pregnancy, but the risks that unvaccinated pregnant women face of becoming severely unwell if they catch COVID-19 show exactly why we advise you to do so as soon as possible. This film is another stark reminder of the devastating impact COVID-19 can have on women and their babies.”
Vaccines Minister Maggie Throup said: “Nearly 1 in 5 COVID-19 patients who are most critically ill are pregnant women who have not been vaccinated, which shows just how important it is that expectant mothers get the vaccine to keep themselves and their babies safe.
“Over 81,000 pregnant women have so far received their first dose, with 65,000 being double-jabbed, which is fantastic, but there’s still more to be done.
“The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for pregnant women and I urge everyone to get their vaccines as soon as they can to secure this significant protection”.
Gill Walton, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “Having COVID-19 can double the chance of stillbirth and triples the chance of a preterm birth, which can have long-term health impact for the baby.
“We know that the vaccine is a safe and effective way of preventing this, with hundreds of thousands of pregnant women worldwide having been vaccinated with no adverse effects.”
Join Meadowlark Yoga for the next in-studio 200-hour teacher training programme
Is it time for a career change? Join Meadowlark Yoga in 2022 for the next in-studio 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training programme
Course held over 5 long weekends:
17th-21st Feb 2022
12th-15th Mar 2022
21st-24th Apr 2022
5th-8th May 2022
4th-8th June 2022
Home of spiritual awareness, Meadowlark Yoga is offering the opportunity to take ‘new year, new you’ to the next level, by retraining as a yoga teacher.
Whether you want to become a well-qualified, confident teacher, or just deepen your own practice and spiritual journey, the in-studio training takes place across five long weekends from February to June and exceeds the minimum requirements set for achieving this accolade. Tackling everything from Ashtanga Vinyasa as a daily practice to modern themes in yoga, fostering a community and body fundamentals, the course will combine everything needed to flourish as a recognised yogi.
Offering an accreditation acknowledged globally by Yoga Alliance USA and Yoga Alliance Professionals UK, attendees will be taught by three senior teachers – Karen Kirkness (founder of Meadowlark Yoga), Amy Hughes and Nadine Watton – who combined have over 60 years’ worth of teaching experience.
Adding new meaning to the phrase ‘flexible working, Karen Kirkness explains why now is the time to make a change: “Over the last 18 months we saw an increase in the number of yoga teacher training queries, with many stating the pandemic as a catalyst for a new career path. It’s not hard to see why; being a qualified yoga teacher from a respected training institute can open doors around the world, and indeed provide a working flexibility that is a priority for so many these days.”
With experience in yoga, anatomy, physiology, history, sociology, ethics, chanting and more, it is no surprise that the teaching trio regularly recruit the pupils they educate. Kirkness continues:
“At Meadowlark Yoga we have long celebrated the career prospects for yoga teachers. Our own teachers are the core of our community and seeing their development is hugely rewarding for us. Most of our teachers are recruited from our own teacher training programme; that way we can be sure that they are ready to start teaching to the high standards that we insist on for all classes.”
For those that do go on to teach, there are a world of opportunities available, from hosting freelance classes and workshops to even beginning a private studio.
So, what are you waiting for? 2022 – new year, new yoga!
Payment for the course is £2,500 split into 5 monthly payments of £500.
The Government has launched a national review and local inspection following the murder of Arthur Laninjo-Hughes
A major review into the circumstances leading up to murder of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes has been launched by the UK Government to determine what improvements are needed by the agencies that came into contact with him in the months before he died.
The Government has separately commissioned four inspectorates, covering social care, health, police and probation to undertake an urgent inspection of the safeguarding agencies in Solihull to whom Arthur was known.
As part of this inspection, all the agencies tasked with protecting children at risk of abuse and neglect in Solihull will be subject to a Joint Targeted Area Inspection to consider their effectiveness and advise on where improvements must be made.
In addition to this, the independent, national review will identify the lessons that must be learnt from Arthur’s case for the benefit of other children elsewhere in England, to be led by the National Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel.
Together, these two actions will mean a deep, independent look at Arthur’s case, and the national lessons to be learnt; and a joined-up inspection of how all the local agencies involved are working, including how they are working together, to keep children safe nationally and locally.
The steps announced today include:
Commissioning a Joint Targeted Area Inspection, led jointly by Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, and HM Inspectorate of Probation. It will consider where improvements are needed by all the agencies tasked with protecting vulnerable children in Solihull, including in how they work together.
A national review, led by the National Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, to provide additional support to Solihull Children’s Safeguarding Partnership. This will effectively ‘upgrade’ the existing local review, launched shortly after Arthur’s death in June 2020 and paused while the court case continued.
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi (above) said: “Arthur’s murder has shocked and appalled the nation. I am deeply distressed by this awful case and the senseless pain inflicted on this poor boy, who has been robbed of the chance to live his life.
“I have taken immediate action and asked for a joint inspection to consider where improvements are needed by all the agencies tasked with protecting children in Solihull, so that we can be assured that we are doing everything in our power to protect other children and prevent such evil crimes.
“Given the enormity of this case, the range of agencies involved and the potential for its implications to be felt nationally, I have also asked Annie Hudson, chair of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, to work with leaders in Solihull to deliver a single, national review of Arthur’s death to identify where we must learn from this terrible case.
“We are determined to protect children from harm and where concerns are raised we will not hesitate to take urgent and robust action. We will not rest until we have the answers we need.”
The national review takes into account the significance and scale of the circumstances of Arthur’s murder, allowing findings to be disseminated around the country to improve practice and identify the lessons that must be learnt.
It replaces and builds on the original Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review – previously known as Serious Case Reviews – which is overseen by safeguarding leaders in a local area.
Over the next few days the Department for Education will work with both the National Panel and the Solihull Partnership to agree a timeline for publication of the national review, as well as confirming the full scope of the Joint Targeted Area Inspection with the agencies involved.
Since 2010, the Government has established stronger multi-agency working, putting a shared and equal duty on police, council and health services in local areas to work more effectively together in protecting and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children. An independent review of children’s social care is ongoing and is due to report next year.
Anyone who sees or suspects child abuse, or is worried about a child known to them, can report concerns to their local children’s services or by contacting the government-supported NSPCC helpline, which is for adults or practitioners concerned about a child or young person.
As 2021 draws to a close, big changes are on the horizon for North Edinburgh Arts. As part of the ongoing regeneration programme around MacMillan Square, development work at North Edinburgh Arts should begin in the next few weeks.
One of the last events in our building before the planned makeover will be the Festive Community Event on Monday 13 December, kindly funded by Police Scotland.
We’re host to lots of other local community stalls on the day, so it’s a great opportunity to learn more about what’s going on in the local area, get together with other local residents and go away with a free goodie bag too!
Whether you’re a regular user or occasional visitor to our community space, we’d like to invite you to say goodbye to the NEA building.
Drop-in any time between 10am and 3pm when you can find out more about our temporary relocation while having a wander, a chat, a festive mince pie and hot drink.
Eight projects working with young families to encourage good nutrition are being allocated funding by the Scottish Government as early intervention to reduce childhood obesity.
Among the initiatives is the Greater Glasgow and Clyde project ‘Thrive Under 5’ which will receive £269,344 towards a community food nurturing programme to help families of pre-school children in Glasgow’s most deprived areas with food insecurity, healthy eating and physical activity.
The funding is part of the Scottish Government’s aim to halve childhood obesity by 2030 and significantly reduce diet-related health inequalities.
Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “Addressing obesity remains a public health priority and we want children and families to have access to appropriate support to give everyone the best start in life no matter where they live.
“We know that diet impacts on children’s health and development and will therefore continue to support local partners to develop these ambitious and effective plans to help prevent and reduce childhood obesity. Our 2021-22 Programme for Government sets out our focus on improving the health of young people by taking forward the actions in our Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan.
“These projects, alongside our Best Start Foods payment and Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme Milk are central to our commitment to ensure everyone in Scotland has access to healthy, nutritious food. We have also introduced the Good Food Nation Bill to help ensure good quality, locally sourced and produced food is a practical everyday reality for everyone.”
Health Improvement Lead at Glasgow City Health & Social Care Partnership Siobhan Boyle said: “We are delighted to receive year two Scottish Government funding for the Thrive Under 5 Project. This project is an exciting pre-5 early intervention project that aims to enable a healthy weight in the early years through a child poverty lens.
“This programme will directly benefit families in the Thrive Under 5 neighbourhoods by combining a suite of healthy lifestyle supports in relation to financial inclusion, food insecurity, healthy eating and physical activity.
“A local Thrive Under 5 network in each area will drive the project forward in partnership with local people. We are looking forward to seeing the positive difference that this project will make.”
As well as Thrive Under Five in Glasgow, other projects to receive funding are: Jump Start Tots in NHS Ayrshire and Arran, the HENRY Train the Trainer model in NHS Fife, NHS Lothian and NHS Grampian, an extension to the HENRY programme in NHS Shetland and NHS Western Isles, and Little n Lively in NHS Lanarkshire.
Nigeria to be added to the travel red list from 4am Monday 6 December following 21 cases of Omicron reported in England which are linked to travel from this country, with 134 UK cases now reported in total
In light of emerging evidence on the Omicron variant, from 4am on Tuesday 7 December anyone aged 12 and above wishing to travel to the UK will need to show a negative pre-departure test (LFD or PCR) as close as possible to departure and not more than 48 hours before to slow the importation of the new variant
Government working at pace to expand Managed Quarantine Service capacity, but passengers are advised that hotel bookings may be limited as new hotels are onboarded
These are temporary measures that have been introduced to prevent further Omicron cases from entering the UK, and will be examined at the three-week review point on 20 December
From 4am tomorrow – Monday 6 December – UK and Irish citizens and residents arriving from Nigeria must isolate in a government-approved managed quarantine facility for 10 days, and receive two negative PCR tests, as further precautionary action is taken against the Omicron variant.
Currently, the vast majority of cases in the UK have clear links to overseas travel from South Africa and Nigeria, and over the past week, 21 Omicron cases reported in England originate from Nigeria.
A temporary travel ban will therefore be introduced for all non-UK and non-Irish citizens and residents who have been in Nigeria in the last 10 days, meaning they will be refused entry into the UK. This does not apply to those who have stayed airside and only transited through Nigeria while changing flights.
Last weekend, 10 countries were added to the red list and it was announced that all vaccinated passengers arriving in the UK must take a day two PCR tests and self-isolate until they receive a negative result. Since then, the geographical spread of Omicron has increased considerably, with 37 countries around the world now reporting Omicron cases and over 134 cases identified in the UK.
New analysis conducted by the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) indicates that the window between infection and infectiousness may be shorter for the Omicron variant, which increases the efficacy of pre-departure testing as it is more likely to identify positive cases before travel.
In light of this emerging evidence and the changing global picture with regards to the spread of Omicron, from 4am on Tuesday, anyone wishing to travel to the UK from countries and territories not on the red list must also show proof of a negative PCR or lateral flow (LFD) pre-departure test, taken no earlier than 48 hours before departure. This applies to vaccinated passengers and children aged 12 and above.
Airlines will be required to check for pre-departure tests alongside a completed passenger locator form, and passengers will not be allowed to board a flight without providing evidence of a negative test result.
Given the reduced incubation period of the Omicron variant, passengers are advised to take the pre-departure test as close as possible to their scheduled departure to the UK and no earlier than 48 hours before travelling.
These additional measures are vital to delaying the import of additional cases and slow the rise in cases within the UK.
However, as the Prime Minister set out on 27 November, all temporary measures will be reviewed after three weeks to ensure that they remain necessary and proportionate, and this will take place on 20 December.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, said: “We knew this winter would be challenging but the arrival of a new variant means we must further strengthen our defences.
“As our world-leading scientists continue to understand more about the Omicron variant we are taking decisive action to protect public health and the progress of our COVID-19 vaccination programme.
“I urge everyone to do their bit to slow the spread by following the new travel rules, wearing masks where mandatory and most importantly getting the booster jab when called.”
Anyone arriving from Nigeria before 4am Monday [6 December] will be advised and strongly encouraged to isolate at home, and their household should also self-isolate for 10 days starting with their arrival in England.
Affected individuals will be contacted and offered free PCR tests to be taken on day 8 after their arrival.
Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said: “Following developments in the past week, the science shows that we must be cautious in guarding against this new variant and so, while we appreciate this will be difficult for the travel sector, it’s important we prioritise public health.
“As we learn more about the Omicron variant, we will review these temporary measures to ensure they continue to be proportionate and necessary to protect public health.”
Analysis by the UKHSA suggests there is strong indication of Omicron presence in Nigeria, and several cases identified in the UK are linked to travel from Nigeria. The country also has very strong travel links with South Africa, for example Nigeria is the second most popular flight destination from Johannesburg.
The UKHSA continues to monitor the situation closely, in partnership with scientific and public health organisations across the world, and government is working collaboratively with the WHO and countries around the world to better understand the new variant and possible mitigations.
Travellers should not attempt to travel to the UK from a red list country without a Managed Quarantine Service (MQS) booking, as they will not be able to board a flight and could be subject to a fixed penalty notice at the UK border.
The government’s advice is to keep checking the CTM website as there are significant number of cancellations happening which will free up rooms.
The MQS has contracted several new hotels to enter service this week, in response to the likely numbers of UK residents who will want to travel from Nigeria before Christmas.
British nationals in Nigeria should check Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice and follow local guidance. The FCDO will continue to offer tailored consular assistance to British nationals in country in need of support overseas on a 24/7.
The UK government is clear it will take further ‘decisive action’ if necessary to contain the virus and new variant.
The change, informed by a UK Health Security Agency risk assessment, will also take effect in Scotland.
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: “It is essential we take steps now to keep people safe, protect the roll out of the booster programme and reduce the chances of unsustainable pressure being placed on the NHS over the winter.
“We have always said it may be necessary to quickly implement fresh measures to protect public health in Scotland, particularly with regards to international travel, and these restrictions are proportionate and necessary to that aim.
“We fully understand the impact the changes will have on staff and businesses in the travel and aviation sectors, particularly as the new variant came at a time when we were beginning to see some signs of recovery. We will not keep the restrictions in place any longer than is necessary.”
Countries currently on the red list are: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namiba, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Pre-departure tests are currently required for red list arrivals and unvaccinated travellers from all countries of origin. This change extends the pre-departure test requirement to vaccinated travellers and requires all pre-departure tests to be no later than two days before departure.
A man who was found fatally injured at Academy Park in Leith has been named as Douglas Forbes. The 78-year-old was discovered around 8.50pm on Thursday (2 December 2021).
Detective Inspector Jonny Wright from Gayfield CID said: “”We are still working to establish how Douglas came to sustain his injuries. We are trying to piece together his last movements, and believe he was in the city centre with friends, prior to being dropped off at Academy Park by a taxi.
“We would like anyone who was out with Douglas on Thursday 2 December, and for the taxi driver who dropped him off, to get in touch with us as soon as possible. This can be done by contacting 101, quoting incident number 3329 of 2 December 2021.”
POLICE UPDATE:
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Following the death of 78-year-old Douglas Forbes, at Academy Park in Edinburgh, on Thursday 2 December, Police Scotland can confirm a 69-year old man has been arrested in relation to driving offences.
“He’s been released pending further enquiries and the investigation continues.”
