Here are the coronavirus morning headlines for Sunday, December 5, as Nigeria moves to the red list and pre-departure Covid tests return amid fears of the new Omicron variant.
The travel industry has reacted with fury after it was announced all passengers arriving in the UK will have to take a Covid pre-departure test amid fears about the spread of the Omicron variant.
Ministers said it was intended to be a temporary measure following new data showing an increase in the number of cases of the new strain linked to foreign travel.
The move, which will be introduced on Tuesday, was welcomed by Labour which has been pressing for the return of pre-departure tests since the variant was first identified in South Africa.
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Wales will also introduce pre-departure tests for travellers entering the country from Tuesday, a Welsh Government spokesperson has said.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: "In line with the rest of the UK we will be taking action to move Nigeria onto the red list from Monday and to introduce pre-departure tests for travellers into the UK and Wales."
It came as the latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (HSA) showed as of Saturday, a further 26 cases of the Omicron variant had been reported across the UK - taking the total so far to 160.
Wales currently has identified one positive Omicron case which has been linked to international travel.
The travel sector said the return of pre-departure tests was another "hammer blow" for an industry that was just beginning to pick up again after the devastation wrought by the pandemic.
Clive Wratten, chief executive of the Business Travel Association, said it directly contradicted assurances given by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and he called on the Government to step in and support the sector.
"The introduction of pre-departure testing with little warning is a hammer blow to the business travel industry," he said.
"Public safety is a priority, but businesses will fail, travellers will be stranded and livelihoods devastated by the lack of coherent plans from Government."
'Top-up' immunity with booster before Christmas, urges Health Secretary
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has called on the public to get the booster vaccine before spending time with their loved ones this Christmas.
Mr Javid said it was "absolutely crucial" that the public "top-up" their immunity before the holidays.
A total of 19.8 million people had received their third jab by December 4, while more than 51 million have had their first dose and almost 46.5 million have had their second.
The Department of Health and Social Care estimates that 20 million will have had the booster by December 5.
In a statement, Mr Javid called the vaccination programme a "national mission".
"Christmas is around the corner and it's absolutely crucial that everybody who is eligible gets their booster jab to top-up their immunity before spending time with loved ones," he said.
"While our brilliant scientists learn more about the new Omicron variant, we need to do everything we can to strengthen our defences and vaccines are the best way to do that.
"This is a national mission and we all have a role to play - so roll up your sleeves and get protected as soon as you can."
Covid antiviral pill 'could be offered to patients before Christmas'
The first at-home treatment for Covid-19 could reportedly be offered to patients before Christmas as an attempt to protect the most vulnerable from the Omicron variant.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid is set to launch a national pilot of the Molnupiravir antiviral pill - also known as Lagevrio - reports The Sunday Telegraph
The newspaper said that under the plans, the NHS was expected to deliver courses of the tablet to clinically vulnerable and immunosuppressed patients within as little as 48 hours of them testing positive for Covid.
It said hospitals and GPs had been told a series of Covid medicines delivery units were being established to ensure the treatment gets to patients as quickly as possible once it is confirmed they have the virus.
Last month, the UK became the first country in the world to license its use - a move described as a "game-changer" by Mr Javid.
But just over a week ago, England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty warned its use may have to be reconsidered in the light of the emergence of Omicron.
He told a No 10 news conference: "I think we probably need to do a rethink of it just to make sure with the new variant, we're targeting in the right direction."
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: "The UK has proven itself to be a world-leader in identifying and rolling out effective treatments for Covid-19, including through Government-backed national trials.
"The Government's antivirals taskforce was launched to identify treatments for UK patients who have been exposed to Covid-19 to take at home, stopping the infection spreading and speeding up recovery time.
"There are a number of exciting opportunities in the pipeline and we will provide further details in due course."
Covid-19 outbreak on Norwegian cruise
Ten people aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship approaching New Orleans have tested positive for Covid-19.
The Norwegian Breakaway had departed New Orleans on November 28 and is due to return this weekend, the Louisiana Department of Health said in a news release.
Over the past week, the ship made stops in Belize, Honduras and Mexico with more than 3,200 people are on board the ship, officials said.
According to the statement, Norwegian "has been adhering to appropriate quarantine and isolation protocols as new cases and exposures have been identified aboard this vessel".
Prior to disembarking in New Orleans, each person on board will be tested for coronavirus and those who test positive will either go directly home or self-isolate in accommodation provided by the cruise line, officials said.
Rio de Janeiro cancels new year's eve party due to Omicron fears
Rio de Janeiro has cancelled its New Year's Eve party due to renewed Covid-19 fears.
The city's mayor Eduardo Paes announced the decision on social media.
Mr Paes had previously promised the biggest New Year's Eve party ever, with multiple firework displays and artists performing on a dozen stages across the city.
He said there is no decision about the annual carnival, due to take place in March.
The yearly celebration on Copacabana beach has in the past gathered more than one million locals and tourists.
Other Brazilian cities, including Sao Paulo and Salvador, have also cancelled New Year's Eve celebrations due to fears of the omicron variant.
So far, the ministry of health has confirmed five Omicron cases in Brazil.
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