Omicron variant: What Birmingham people say about latest Covid threat

What are you doing to protect yourself against the new Covid-19 variant?
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Contact tracing is now underway to halt the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus which has now been detected in the UK.

Face masks were made compulsory on public transport and in many indoor settings from today (Tuesday, November 30) and more restrictions have been introduced for travel abroad is being restricted.

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There are also calls for schools to shut early and people are being encouraged to ensure they are up to date with their vaccinations, especially booster jabs.

Are you ready to make more changes to your lifestyle to halt the spread of the Omicron variant?

We asked the people of Birmingham what measures they believe should be taken and whether the potential of a new outbreak is leading them to change their plans as Christmas approaches.

Lorna in Birmingham answering questions about OmicronLorna in Birmingham answering questions about Omicron
Lorna in Birmingham answering questions about Omicron

‘Made us more cautious’

Lorna said: “I think with this new Omicron variant, it’s a bit of a wait and see at the moment, because although it sounds like it’s spread more quickly than the variants we’ve had before, hopefully maybe it might not be as deadly or as serious.

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“So at the moment we’re trying to sort of wait and see what happens. We just travelled over to Birmingham on the train and we’re all very keen on wearing our face masks. We wanted to make sure we were taking all those measures now. So it’s made us a bit more cautious perhaps.”

Ross in Birmingham answering questions about OmicronRoss in Birmingham answering questions about Omicron
Ross in Birmingham answering questions about Omicron

‘This is here for many, many years’

Ross said: “You know we’re all scared. We all try to do what we can. But my personal is this - we’re all human, this is not going to go away. This is here for many, many years. And we’ve just gotta adhere to the rules, the regulations, and go forward.”

Norman in Birmingham answering questions about OmicronNorman in Birmingham answering questions about Omicron
Norman in Birmingham answering questions about Omicron

‘I’m looking to cancel my holiday’

Norman said: “I was planning to go on holiday in January, which I am looking to cancel. Because if I am on holiday abroad and there is a lockdown I’m stuck over there.”

“I’m thinking to cancel it, because of this new variant. I think the government is going to handle it very well like they did before with the Covid one”.

Tallulah in Birmingham answering questions about OmicronTallulah in Birmingham answering questions about Omicron
Tallulah in Birmingham answering questions about Omicron

‘We should go into lockdown’

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Tallulah said: “I personally think we should just, like, start going into lockdown. If you want to wear a mask, you wear a mask, if you want to get the vaccine, get the vaccine, it is completely up to you.

“Putting us in lockdowns and changing everyone’s plans, and holding back... Basically they’re holding back the future. I’ve missed out on exams, I know like young years 11’s and everyone else has missed out on exams. They’re just holding back everyone.”

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