Recent figures show a total of nine people have contracted the new variant, with infections split across Scotland and England. Scottish authorities have sequenced six cases, while their English counterparts have identified three, and scientists fear "dozens" more may have entered under the radar. In a rare moment of decisive action, health secretary Sajid Javid announced a raft of new measures that come into effect from tomorrow.

       The Government's latest rules hark back to the early days of the pandemic and started with travel bans late last week.

       Ministers pinned six African countries, South Africa among them, to the red travel list on Thursday, grounding outgoing and incoming flights.

       These came into effect immediately, while mask mandates announced by the health minister over the weekend debut tomorrow.

       READ MORE: Brit couple 'stranded' in South Africa by Omicron outbreak

       Mr Javid has revisited measures spearheaded by his predecessor Matt Hancock.

       From Tuesday, November 30, people living in England must wear masks when shopping or using public transport.

       School children in Year 7 and above must also wear a facemask in communal school areas.

       Hairdressers, banks and post office locations are among those that will require them, with exemptions for children and mental health reasons.

       Hospitality settings won't have to follow the latest mask changes.

       The Government has paired enhanced mask-wearing with a new policy on self-isolation.

       People who come into contact with a suspected Omicron infection will have to self isolate regardless of their vaccine status.

       While these could all help guard against rising Covid cases, experts anticipate an uphill battle against refuseniks.

       Some fear "Freedom Day" has made Britons less likely to follow Government advice, having spent months without compulsory masks.

       Bobby Morton, Unite the union's national officer for passenger transport, said the Government's previous "inconsistent" messaging will "almost certainly" result in a "high degree of non-compliance".

       In a bid to provide additional defences, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is exploring a renewed push for boosters.

       Currently, the policy is only open to older Britons who have received both of their jabs and waited six months.

       But under potential plans, the JCVI would initiate a new rapid programme.

       So far, potential changes include reducing the time between people's second and booster jabs, and extending them to under 40s, with an official announcement coming today.