Health secretary Sajid Javid confirms rules will come into force from 7 December as Nigeria is added to the travel red list
International arrivals to UK will be required to have pre-departure Covid tests
WHO says no deaths reported from Omicron yet as variant spreads
German government announces lockdown for the unvaccinated
Sage scientists seek balanced UK response to Omicron concerns
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UK government officials and scientific advisers believe that the danger posed by the Omicron variant may not be clear until January, potentially allowing weeks of intense mixing while the variant spreads.
Across Westminster, invitations to Christmas drinks are landing in embossed envelopes or on WhatsApp groups. Departmental staff parties are set to take place, as well as a reception for journalists with Rishi Sunak at No 11. Even Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are hosting a joint bash.
