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New COVID-19 restrictions launch this week in the UK

Dec. 13, 2021
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3 min read
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New COVID-19 restrictions launch this week in the UK
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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.

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“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.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.