It's been a busy afternoon of Covid announcements in the UK. In case you missed them, here's a quick round-up of the key points:
Pre-departure travel Covid tests to enter England from overseas will be scrapped from 04:00 on Friday - and from Sunday, arrivals won't need to take a PCR test and isolate before a negative result. Instead, just one lateral flow test will be needed after arrival - with no isolation while waiting for a result
Boris Johnson also says that England will stick with Plan B measures - which include mandatory face masks in most indoor settings, advice to work from home and Covid passports for large venues - and that there will be no tighter restrictions for now
In a second change to self-isolation rules, Sturgeon says household contacts of positive cases will be allowed to take daily lateral flow tests for a week rather than having to self-isolate - so long as they are fully vaccinated, which means two doses and a booster jab
As we've been reporting, major changes to the travel rules for England have been announced.
From Friday, travellers will no longer need a pre-arrival test.
And from Sunday, arrivals will not need to isolate until they get a negative PCR test. Instead, they must take a lateral flow test within two days, without the automatic need to isolate.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says there will be a "a full review of travel measures by the end of January to ensure a stable system is in place for 2022".
And now more from the US: more children than ever before are being admitted to hospital with Covid-19
amid the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
CDC statistics show that an average of 672 children were admitted
to hospital each day during the week that ended on Sunday, 2 January.
This is more than
twice the daily figure between 20 and 26 December, when an average of 313 people
under 17 were admitted each day.
Since August, more than 80,000 children have been
hospitalised with Covid-19.
On Monday, the American Academy of Pediatrics warned that
the number of Covid-19 cases among young people had reached unprecedented
levels.
More than 325,000 new cases were recorded among children during
the week ending 30 December – a 64% increase over the 199,000 new cases
recorded the week prior.
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
An average of 672 children is being hospitalised with Covid-19 each day in the US.Image caption: An average of 672 children is being hospitalised with Covid-19 each day in the US.
Thousands of US flights cancelled amid staffing shortages
US airlines cancelled more than 1,400 flights on Wednesday, with
thousands more delayed amid pandemic-related staffing shortages, statistics show.
According to airline data provider FlightAware, a total of
1,429 flights inside, into or out of the US were cancelled as of 15:00 GMT on
Wednesday, while 1,183 flights experienced delays.
On Tuesday, a total of 1,562 flights were cancelled, with
over 6,600 delayed flights recorded.
Since Christmas Eve on 24 December, over 20,000 flights have
been cancelled, leaving passengers scrambling for alternatives during one of
the busiest travel periods of the year.
Faced with pandemic-related staffing shortages, a number of
US airlines have agreed to pay crew extra to pick up additional trips during
the holiday period.
On 31 December,
United Airlines announced it would offer pilots triple pay throughout January
amid the rapid spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant.
Djokovic might be denied entry to Australia
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Tennis player Novak Djokovic's entry to Australia has been delayed after a dispute over a visa application.
As we've been reporting, the world number one landed in Melbourne this afternoon amid a backlash at the decision to grant him a medical exemption from the requirement of having had a Covid vaccine.
That decision allows him to play at the Australian Open later this month.
But Djokovic is apparently unable to get through passport control because a member of his team applied for a sub-class of visa which does not allow medical exemptions for being unvaccinated.
The Victorian state government has refused to support his application.
According to Australian media reports, Djokovic was being questioned by border force officials at the airport until at least 01:15 at night.
Watch: Rayner says 'of course it's right' to keep Plan B
Angela Rayner - who stood in for Sir Keir Starmer during PMQs, as he has tested for positive for Covid - says "of course it's right" for the government to keep Plan B measures in England.
Video content
Video caption: Covid: Labour's Angela Rayner responds to PM's Plan B statementCovid: Labour's Angela Rayner responds to PM's Plan B statement
Travel test changes a 'much needed boost' for travellers - Heathrow
Time for some reaction now to the announcement that pre-departure Covid tests to enter England from overseas will be scrapped from 04:00 on Friday - with travellers set to be able to take a lateral flow test on day two after arriving instead.
Self-isolation until they receive a negative result in England is also ending.
A spokesperson for London's Heathrow airport said the move provided a "much needed boost to passengers desperate to see loved ones and to businesses that need to reconnect with global markets".
Johan Lundgren, chief executive of easyJet, welcomed the decision, saying it would make travel "much simpler and easier" for passengers.
But he urged ministers to "take the final step towards restriction-free travel" by removing the last Covid test requirement for vaccinated passengers so travelling does not become "a preserve of the rich".
Travellers currently must pay for private tests rather than using free NHS tests.
England travel changes kick-in on Friday and Sunday
We've got more detail on the changes to coronavirus travel testing in England from the transport secretary.
Grant Shapps has tweeted that fully vaccinated passengers and under 18s will no longer need to take a pre-departure test before returning to England if arriving after 04:00 GMT on Friday.
He says the same groups arriving in England will now only need to take a lateral flow test instead of a PCR test if they arrive after 04:00 GMT on Sunday.
The need to self-isolate before getting a negative result is also ending.
He says now Omicron is the dominant variant and is widespread in the UK, these measures are no longer proportionate.
By removing them the government is supporting the safe reopening of international travel, he says.
Watch: Changes to self-isolation rules in Scotland
Video content
Video caption: Covid self-isolation period will be cut to seven days in ScotlandCovid self-isolation period will be cut to seven days in Scotland
And if you missed it earlier, here's Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon updating the Scottish Parliament on rule changes - including a change to self-isolation requirements for both Covid cases and their contacts.
Video caption: Covid: PM confirms Plan B will stay as England experiences 'fastest growth' in casesCovid: PM confirms Plan B will stay as England experiences 'fastest growth' in cases
Analysis
Analysis: PM confident strategy is working
Nick Eardley
Political correspondent
In recent days, confidence has been increasing in government
that the current restrictions in England are enough.
They will now continue for the next three weeks. That means
working from home, face coverings indoors and, although the PM didn’t mention
it, Covid certification for large events.
The PM said that ministers would remove measures when they
are not necessary - and we have a couple of changes today.
Firstly, if you travel abroad you won’t need to do a test
before travelling back to the UK.
And then when you do return, you won’t need to isolate and pay for an
expensive PCR test.
Instead, by the end of your second day back, you’ll have to
do a lateral flow (although if that’s positive, a PCR will then be needed).
Ultimately, Boris Johnson is confident that the current
strategy is working, even though there are fewer restrictions in England than
the rest of the UK.
NHS is not surfing Covid wave, it's struggling to stay afloat - Rayner
Back now to the debate in PMQs - Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner is responding to the prime minister's Covid statement.
Citing the PM's previous comment that the nation must "ride out" the Omicron wave, she says the NHS is "not surfing" and is instead "struggling to stay afloat".
Critical incidents are declared when health bosses are concerned they may not be able to provide priority services.
She calls on Boris Johnson to "be frank with people" and give an "honest assessment" of the state of the health service.
BreakingUK records 194,747 cases and 334 deaths
The UK has recorded 194,747 new daily coronavirus cases and a further 334 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, the government's dashboard shows.
A message on the dashboard says today's death figures include a backlog of hospital deaths reported overnight by NHS England covering the period 1 - 4 January.
BreakingPre-departure tests scrapped - PM
The PM confirms that pre-departure travel Covid tests to enter England from overseas will be scrapped from 04:00 on Friday.
He also says he is lifting the requirement to self-isolate on arrival in England until receiving a negative PCR test result.
Instead people can take a lateral flow test on day two - and if it's positive a further PCR test will be needed to identify any new variants, plus isolation as normal.
Tests must reach those who need them most - PM
The prime minister says the UK has the biggest testing programme in Europe - registering twice as many tests as France, and four times as many as Germany.
Last month, 300m lateral flow tests were handed out, he says, which enabled people to spend Christmas with loved ones safely.
But due to the "sheer size" of the Omicron wave, the government must take steps to ensure testing capacity "reaches those who need it most".
He reiterates the announcement earlier that people in England will no longer have to confirm the result of a positive lateral flow test with a PCR test if they don't have symptoms.
He says from Tuesday, people should just record the result of the lateral flow test on the government website and begin isolating.
We will not go further with Covid measures - PM
Boris Johnson says cabinet earlier agreed that England should stick with Plan B for a further three weeks - with a review before the regulations expire on 26 January.
He says people in England should continue working from home wherever they can, wear face coverings on public transport, and also in most public indoor places.
He says people should take a Covid test before going to high-risk settings or meeting the elderly or vulnerable.
He says these measures are taking the edge off the Omicron wave - and to those asking if the government should go further, he says lockdowns are not cost-free.
BreakingJohnson now making Covid statement
Updates to follow...
Johnson statement on Covid response in England upcoming
As Prime Minister's Questions wraps up, Boris Johnson will make a separate statement to MPs on the Covid response in England.
The prime minister held a cabinet meeting this morning - and he has just confirmed in the Commons that England will stick with the so-called "Plan B" rules.
Analysis
Huge growth in infections driven by northern England
Robert Cuffe
BBC head of statistics
Some hopeful news buried in
the staggering growth of Omicron infections.
There's a hint that growth in
London, the leading edge of the Omicron wave, may have been slightly slower
over the Christmas break.
Having doubled in the week
before Christmas, infections grew by less - roughly from 7.5% to 9% - in
the week up to 31 December.
We have to hope this slowdown
continues once everyone returns to work in the coming week.
The growth this week
was driven by infections in the north of the country: the North West has almost
caught up with London and infections more than doubled in the North East and in
Yorkshire and the Humber.
The unfortunate news is that
infections are doubling each week in the over 70s, growing faster than any
other age group.
They still have a
much lower rate of infection than anyone else, but this is the group where the
boosters will be doing the most work to prevent infection turning into serious
illness.
Live Reporting
Edited by Owen Amos
All times stated are UK
BBCCopyright: BBC -
Pre-departure travel Covid tests to enter England from overseas will be scrapped from 04:00 on Friday - and from Sunday, arrivals won't need to take a PCR test and isolate before a negative result. Instead, just one lateral flow test will be needed after arrival - with no isolation while waiting for a result
-
In another easing of testing rules, the UK Health Security Agency announces that people without symptoms will no longer need to confirm a positive lateral flow test with a PCR test. The change will come into force in England next week and across the rest of the UK within days
-
Boris Johnson also says that England will stick with Plan B measures - which include mandatory face masks in most indoor settings, advice to work from home and Covid passports for large venues - and that there will be no tighter restrictions for now
-
In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reduces the self-isolation period from 10 days to seven if a person has no fever and records negative lateral flow results on days six and seven
-
In a second change to self-isolation rules, Sturgeon says household contacts of positive cases will be allowed to take daily lateral flow tests for a week rather than having to self-isolate - so long as they are fully vaccinated, which means two doses and a booster jab
-
The UK records 194,747 new daily infections and another 334 deaths within 28 days of a positive test (though some of the deaths include a backlog of hospital deaths reported overnight by NHS England covering the period 1 - 4 January)
-
And the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tests positive for Covid for a second time
View more on twitterView more on twitter 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images An average of 672 children is being hospitalised with Covid-19 each day in the US.Image caption: An average of 672 children is being hospitalised with Covid-19 each day in the US. 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images Video caption: Covid: Labour's Angela Rayner responds to PM's Plan B statementCovid: Labour's Angela Rayner responds to PM's Plan B statement Video caption: Covid self-isolation period will be cut to seven days in ScotlandCovid self-isolation period will be cut to seven days in Scotland Video caption: Covid: PM confirms Plan B will stay as England experiences 'fastest growth' in casesCovid: PM confirms Plan B will stay as England experiences 'fastest growth' in cases Analysis
Analysis
Latest PostThat's all for now
Our rolling coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic is now closing for the day - the page will be back on Thursday morning.
You can read about the changes to England's travel rules here, the changes to PCR tests across the UK here, and the changes to self-isolation rules for cases and contacts in Scotland here.
The latest UK data is here - and a snapshot is below. Thanks for reading.
What are the latest headlines in the UK?
It's been a busy afternoon of Covid announcements in the UK. In case you missed them, here's a quick round-up of the key points:
Shapps promises 'stable' travel rules for 2022
As we've been reporting, major changes to the travel rules for England have been announced.
From Friday, travellers will no longer need a pre-arrival test.
And from Sunday, arrivals will not need to isolate until they get a negative PCR test. Instead, they must take a lateral flow test within two days, without the automatic need to isolate.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says there will be a "a full review of travel measures by the end of January to ensure a stable system is in place for 2022".
US children being hospitalised at record rate
And now more from the US: more children than ever before are being admitted to hospital with Covid-19 amid the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
CDC statistics show that an average of 672 children were admitted to hospital each day during the week that ended on Sunday, 2 January.
This is more than twice the daily figure between 20 and 26 December, when an average of 313 people under 17 were admitted each day.
Since August, more than 80,000 children have been hospitalised with Covid-19.
On Monday, the American Academy of Pediatrics warned that the number of Covid-19 cases among young people had reached unprecedented levels.
More than 325,000 new cases were recorded among children during the week ending 30 December – a 64% increase over the 199,000 new cases recorded the week prior.
Thousands of US flights cancelled amid staffing shortages
US airlines cancelled more than 1,400 flights on Wednesday, with thousands more delayed amid pandemic-related staffing shortages, statistics show.
According to airline data provider FlightAware, a total of 1,429 flights inside, into or out of the US were cancelled as of 15:00 GMT on Wednesday, while 1,183 flights experienced delays.
On Tuesday, a total of 1,562 flights were cancelled, with over 6,600 delayed flights recorded.
Since Christmas Eve on 24 December, over 20,000 flights have been cancelled, leaving passengers scrambling for alternatives during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Faced with pandemic-related staffing shortages, a number of US airlines have agreed to pay crew extra to pick up additional trips during the holiday period.
On 31 December, United Airlines announced it would offer pilots triple pay throughout January amid the rapid spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant.
Djokovic might be denied entry to Australia
Tennis player Novak Djokovic's entry to Australia has been delayed after a dispute over a visa application.
As we've been reporting, the world number one landed in Melbourne this afternoon amid a backlash at the decision to grant him a medical exemption from the requirement of having had a Covid vaccine.
That decision allows him to play at the Australian Open later this month.
But Djokovic is apparently unable to get through passport control because a member of his team applied for a sub-class of visa which does not allow medical exemptions for being unvaccinated.
The Victorian state government has refused to support his application.
According to Australian media reports, Djokovic was being questioned by border force officials at the airport until at least 01:15 at night.
We don't yet know if he's been let through.
Read more here.
Watch: Rayner says 'of course it's right' to keep Plan B
Angela Rayner - who stood in for Sir Keir Starmer during PMQs, as he has tested for positive for Covid - says "of course it's right" for the government to keep Plan B measures in England.
Video content
Travel test changes a 'much needed boost' for travellers - Heathrow
Time for some reaction now to the announcement that pre-departure Covid tests to enter England from overseas will be scrapped from 04:00 on Friday - with travellers set to be able to take a lateral flow test on day two after arriving instead.
Self-isolation until they receive a negative result in England is also ending.
A spokesperson for London's Heathrow airport said the move provided a "much needed boost to passengers desperate to see loved ones and to businesses that need to reconnect with global markets".
Johan Lundgren, chief executive of easyJet, welcomed the decision, saying it would make travel "much simpler and easier" for passengers.
But he urged ministers to "take the final step towards restriction-free travel" by removing the last Covid test requirement for vaccinated passengers so travelling does not become "a preserve of the rich".
Travellers currently must pay for private tests rather than using free NHS tests.
England travel changes kick-in on Friday and Sunday
We've got more detail on the changes to coronavirus travel testing in England from the transport secretary.
Grant Shapps has tweeted that fully vaccinated passengers and under 18s will no longer need to take a pre-departure test before returning to England if arriving after 04:00 GMT on Friday.
He says the same groups arriving in England will now only need to take a lateral flow test instead of a PCR test if they arrive after 04:00 GMT on Sunday.
The need to self-isolate before getting a negative result is also ending.
He says now Omicron is the dominant variant and is widespread in the UK, these measures are no longer proportionate.
By removing them the government is supporting the safe reopening of international travel, he says.
Watch: Changes to self-isolation rules in Scotland
Video content
And if you missed it earlier, here's Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon updating the Scottish Parliament on rule changes - including a change to self-isolation requirements for both Covid cases and their contacts.
Read more about the changes in Scotland here.
Watch: PM confirms England sticking with Plan B
Video content
Analysis: PM confident strategy is working
Nick Eardley
Political correspondent
In recent days, confidence has been increasing in government that the current restrictions in England are enough.
They will now continue for the next three weeks. That means working from home, face coverings indoors and, although the PM didn’t mention it, Covid certification for large events.
The PM said that ministers would remove measures when they are not necessary - and we have a couple of changes today.
Firstly, if you travel abroad you won’t need to do a test before travelling back to the UK.
And then when you do return, you won’t need to isolate and pay for an expensive PCR test.
Instead, by the end of your second day back, you’ll have to do a lateral flow (although if that’s positive, a PCR will then be needed).
Ultimately, Boris Johnson is confident that the current strategy is working, even though there are fewer restrictions in England than the rest of the UK.
NHS is not surfing Covid wave, it's struggling to stay afloat - Rayner
Back now to the debate in PMQs - Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner is responding to the prime minister's Covid statement.
Citing the PM's previous comment that the nation must "ride out" the Omicron wave, she says the NHS is "not surfing" and is instead "struggling to stay afloat".
She refers to a number of hospital trusts declaring critical incidents in recent days due to staff shortages and high Covid cases across the country.
Critical incidents are declared when health bosses are concerned they may not be able to provide priority services.
She calls on Boris Johnson to "be frank with people" and give an "honest assessment" of the state of the health service.
BreakingUK records 194,747 cases and 334 deaths
The UK has recorded 194,747 new daily coronavirus cases and a further 334 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, the government's dashboard shows.
A message on the dashboard says today's death figures include a backlog of hospital deaths reported overnight by NHS England covering the period 1 - 4 January.
BreakingPre-departure tests scrapped - PM
The PM confirms that pre-departure travel Covid tests to enter England from overseas will be scrapped from 04:00 on Friday.
He also says he is lifting the requirement to self-isolate on arrival in England until receiving a negative PCR test result.
Instead people can take a lateral flow test on day two - and if it's positive a further PCR test will be needed to identify any new variants, plus isolation as normal.
Tests must reach those who need them most - PM
The prime minister says the UK has the biggest testing programme in Europe - registering twice as many tests as France, and four times as many as Germany.
Last month, 300m lateral flow tests were handed out, he says, which enabled people to spend Christmas with loved ones safely.
But due to the "sheer size" of the Omicron wave, the government must take steps to ensure testing capacity "reaches those who need it most".
He reiterates the announcement earlier that people in England will no longer have to confirm the result of a positive lateral flow test with a PCR test if they don't have symptoms.
He says from Tuesday, people should just record the result of the lateral flow test on the government website and begin isolating.
We will not go further with Covid measures - PM
Boris Johnson says cabinet earlier agreed that England should stick with Plan B for a further three weeks - with a review before the regulations expire on 26 January.
He says people in England should continue working from home wherever they can, wear face coverings on public transport, and also in most public indoor places.
He says people should take a Covid test before going to high-risk settings or meeting the elderly or vulnerable.
He says these measures are taking the edge off the Omicron wave - and to those asking if the government should go further, he says lockdowns are not cost-free.
BreakingJohnson now making Covid statement
Updates to follow...
Johnson statement on Covid response in England upcoming
As Prime Minister's Questions wraps up, Boris Johnson will make a separate statement to MPs on the Covid response in England.
The prime minister held a cabinet meeting this morning - and he has just confirmed in the Commons that England will stick with the so-called "Plan B" rules.
Huge growth in infections driven by northern England
Robert Cuffe
BBC head of statistics
Some hopeful news buried in the staggering growth of Omicron infections.
There's a hint that growth in London, the leading edge of the Omicron wave, may have been slightly slower over the Christmas break.
Having doubled in the week before Christmas, infections grew by less - roughly from 7.5% to 9% - in the week up to 31 December.
We have to hope this slowdown continues once everyone returns to work in the coming week.
The growth this week was driven by infections in the north of the country: the North West has almost caught up with London and infections more than doubled in the North East and in Yorkshire and the Humber.
The unfortunate news is that infections are doubling each week in the over 70s, growing faster than any other age group.
They still have a much lower rate of infection than anyone else, but this is the group where the boosters will be doing the most work to prevent infection turning into serious illness.