The shake-up was confirmed by Boris Johnson earlier, following calls from travel firms who said the measures were not effective now that Omicron was spreading widely.

Mr. Johnson said that the rules for self-isolating on arrival will be also changed.

And from Sunday, rather than taking a PCR test on day two of arrival, they can take a cheaper lateral flow.

As part of the so-called ¨Plan B¨ implemented last December, the British only have to wear face coverings or masks in public transport and other closed businesses, teleworking whenever possible and to show a vaccination certificate to have access to pubs, nightclubs and some mass events.

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