What advice have you had from the Variants of Concern Control Board about the new coronavirus variant Omicron on how to protect Londoners from the variant and reducing transmission?

Although the Variants of Concern Control Board has been stood down, I continue to meet regularly with my Statutory Health Advisor who keeps me informed of the Covid-19 pandemic including variants of concern such as the Omicron variant.  As the Regional Director for London for UKHSA and OHID, he provides partners and me with a daily epidemiology briefing about the COVID pandemic and continues to closely monitor the situation along with national government. He has been able to quickly brief me on this emerging situation and the 5 pillars to protect Londoners and reduce transmission – prevention; testing; self-isolation; vaccination and adherence to guidance re international travel mitigation.

In addition, my Statutory Health Advisor and I continue to work closely with NHS England colleagues to understand the impact of the pandemic and the control measures on the resilience of health and social care services for Londoners.