People travelling from Tier 4 areas and Wales should self-isolate for up to 10 days - including Christmas Day

Anyone travelling out of Tier 4 areas In England to other parts of the country should self-isolate and act as though they have the new Covid variant, according to public health guidance.

People arriving from these areas should not go out, or mix with anyone from other households, including on Christmas Day. This applies to people who travelled on or after 18 December.

Stemming the spread of new Covid variant

The new guidance has been issued amid concerns over the spread of the new Covid variant, which public health officials have described as “extremely worrying.”

Councils all over England have issued guidance, stating that people who have travelled from Tier 4 areas or Wales should self-isolate for up to 10 days and “assume” they have the virus.

A statement from the West Midlands Public Health Authority told people to change their plans over Christmas to avoid mixing with other households.

It said, “Although our region is not in tier four, rates are increasing and it is highly likely that the new variant is circulating.

"Other people who live in the house do not need to self-isolate unless they get symptoms but no visitors should be allowed in that house at all, even on Christmas Day."

Which areas have issued guidance to self-isolate?

Public health officials in the following areas have issued guidance stating that people arriving from Tier 4 areas in England or from Wales should self-isolate on arrival.

BirminghamBoltonBuryCoventryDoncasterDudleyManchesterOldhamRochdaleSalfordSandwellSheffieldShropshireSolihullStaffordshireStockportStoke-on-TrentTamesideTelford and WrekinTraffordWalsallWarwickshireWiganWolverhamptonWorcestershire

Anyone arriving in the Liverpool city region should get a coronavirus test, according to existing authority guidance.

While some authorities have advised that arrivees get tested and self-isolate for 10 days, others have said people should self-isolate for at least five days, with details available on each local authority’s website.