Two people in the UK have been found to be infected with the new Covid variant, Omicron, the health secretary has said.
Sajid Javid said the UK Health Security Agency had detected cases in Chelmsford, Essex, and in Nottingham.
He said the cases were linked and the two people were self-isolating alongside their households while more tests and contact tracing take place.
The new variant has also been identified in South Africa, Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong, and Israel.
Countries around the world are currently racing to introduce travel bans and restrictions on southern African countries in an effort to contain Omicron's spread.
Ten countries are now on the UK's travel red list meaning, from Sunday at 04:00 GMT, all arrivals will have to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days.
On Friday, the UK placed South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, and Eswatini on the list.
In his announcement on Saturday, the health secretary said Angola, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia would be added to that list.
He also said: "We've always been very clear that we won't hesitate to take further action if that is what is required.
"Today I can announce one thing that we are doing immediately is carrying out targeted testing and sequencing of positive cases in the two areas that are affected."
He added, "if anyone has traveled to these four countries or any of the other red-listed countries in the last four days then they must self isolate and take PCR tests."
Latest Stories
-
Domestic Gold Purchase Programme has helped stabilise cedi, ease inflation – First Deputy Governor
2 minutes -
NPP Ashanti commiserates with Obogu Saviour Church over tragic loss of 16 children
5 minutes -
The Prophecy Clearance House: Now Open for National Business
14 minutes -
$2 trillion in reparations can defray Africa’s debts
24 minutes -
Today’s Front pages: Monday, August 11, 2025
27 minutes -
Helicopter crash victims: Let us honour their memories – Mahama
36 minutes -
NDC offers GH₵60k support to Obogu crash victims’ families and the church
42 minutes -
Prof Robert Darko Osei named new ISSER Director, takes over from Prof Peter Quartey
46 minutes -
National loss, personal pain: The families we must not forget
54 minutes -
Augustine Boakye stars with goal and assists as Ebenezer Annan makes Saint-Etienne debut
55 minutes -
GPCC says it has not received a formal notice on national prophecy directive
59 minutes -
Helicopter crash: Cherish one another, life is uncertain – Shamima Muslim
1 hour -
Devastating news: A nation in grief
1 hour -
Daniel Afriyie Barnieh scores in third consecutive league game
1 hour -
Prof Mike Oquaye says the helicopter crash is a major loss to Ghana
1 hour