New COVID-19 restrictions launch this week in the UK
This story has been updated with new information.
New restrictions on social distancing began Monday in the U.K., including government advice to work from home if possible for the foreseeable future.
In other changes this week, from Dec. 14, anyone identified as coming into close contact of a positive case will need to take a free NHS lateral flow test each day for seven days, rather than self-isolating. Positive cases must still isolate and unvaccinated adults must self-isolate for 10 days.
Additionally, face masks and COVID-19 passes will now be required to enter certain mass venues in the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced as part of the country's "Plan B" response to the omicron variant. The variant is now spreading quickly through the country, with the first death recorded. It is expected to be the dominant variant in the U.K. within days.
From Dec. 15, NHS Covid Pass will be mandatory to access nightclubs and other venues with large crowds, including indoor venues with 500 or more people, outdoor spaces with 4,000-plus individuals, and any venue with attendance exceeding 10,000 people, to allow these spaces to remain open without reducing capacity. The news will add another layer of protocol for any travelers visiting the U.K. through the Christmas period, as well as U.K. residents.
Although those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are able to obtain the Covid Pass initially, it's likely that the validity of the pass will hinge on the addition of subsequent COVID-19 boosters in the near future. All adults will now be offered a booster jab by the end of December, rather than the end of January as originally planned.
"The NHS Covid Pass can still be obtained with two doses but we will keep this under review as the boosters roll out," the Prime Minister said.
Additionally, face masks are to be worn at most public indoor spaces, including venues, theaters, and cinemas.
Work from home measures have also been reintroduced to facilitate remote work wherever possible moving forward. Businesses will have until today (Dec. 13) to make arrangements. The new rules create the unusual situation where the public can attend Christmas parties with their colleagues, provided they don't go into a workplace with them.
"Employers should use the rest of this week to discuss working arrangements with their employees," he said in a press conference on Dec. 8. "But from Monday [13 December] you should work from home if you can. Go to work if you must but work from home if you can."
Additional reporting by Ben Smithson.
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| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
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Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
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Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month