The Prime Minister has confirmed he will be speaking from Downing Street this evening following the discovery of the Omicron covid-19 variant in the UK.

Along with Boris Johnson, the press conference will also feature Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Officer Sir Patrick Vallance.

The broadcast will take place at 5pm.

Health secretary announces Omicron variant confirmed in UK

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, announced on Twitter the Government has been made aware by the UK Health Security Agency of two UK cases of the Omicron variant.

Mr Javid said: “The two cases are linked and there is a connection with travel to southern Africa.

“As a precaution we are rolling out additional targeted testing in the affected areas - Nottingham and Chelmsford - and sequencing all positive cases.

“This is a fast-moving situation and we are taking decisive steps to protect public health.”

Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola added to red list

The Health Secretary also confirmed Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola are being added to the to the travel red list - effective from 4am tomorrow.

If you have returned from there in the last 10 days you must isolate and get PCR tests.

Mr Javid added: “If you are eligible for your booster jab - now is the time to get it.”