READERS have weighed in with their opinions after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new Covid rules following the Omicron variant being confirmed in the UK.

Speaking from Downing Street, the Prime Minister said "It does appear Omicron spreads very readily and can be spread between people who are double vaccinated."

The additional measure include; returning travellers requiring a negative PCR test, face coverings to be worn in shops and on public transport and bolstering the booster roll-out.

Boris Johnson called this evening's press conference following confirmation the Omicron covid-19 variant has been detected in the UK.

Joining him for the briefing were Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Officer Sir Patrick Vallance.

This is what our readers had to say:

Stephen Snell said: "I've been saying it all along, wear masks but hardly anybody listened to me."

Paul Griffiths said: "Confused (again) apparently we need masks in retail but not hospitality.

"Johnson gives an emergency conference but then says we’ll find out sometime next week!"

Sandra Fullard said: "If we have to wear mask yet you don't have to in pub it is a waste of time. I've had my booster."

Ange Carter said: "He was in a hospital last week no mask on he will take the virus home to his new family.

"They don’t know what there doing."

Brian Sinclair said: "Why doesn't the government admit they do not know what they are doing? They haven't since the start! What a bunch of uneducated school boys the Government are."

Barrie Baz H Hetherington said: "Yet the chief scientific officer from SA says its a weak variant that causes nothing more than a headache and touch of fatigue. They have no idea why the uk and others are panicking so much.

Julie Higgs said: "Oh my god, here we go again.

Martin McLeavy said: "Flights should have been stopped immediately and face covering in force from today, why leave it until Tuesday?"

Pat Carr said: "Use your common sense and wear a mask,get vaccinated, and act sensibly."