As countries battle to contain the highly contagious Omicron variant, a string of measures — albeit possibly subject to further change — took effect in England this week. What do they mean for the Jewish community?

Travelling to Israel

After Israel briefly reopened to tourists in November, the country is now closed to international travel again until 22nd December, the earliest date that borders could reopen.

However, British travellers will still face restrictions after that point: the UK is on Israel’s red list and only those with a special exemption will be allowed to enter.

The official criteria for exemption currently includes those completing the immigration process, parents attending the wedding of their child, and those holding a temporary residence visa with a connection to an Israeli citizen (spouse or child).

United Jewish Israel Appeal (UJIA) postponed its winter Birthright trips, but staff continue to work hard “to ensure that teen summer tours can go ahead if travel is possible,” said its head of Israel journeys, Josh Dubell.

Synagogues, funerals and stone settings

Rules will continue as before but mask-wearing is now obligatory.

For funerals and stone-settings, mask-wearing is compulsory within the cemetery prayer hall.

Care home visits

From tomorrow, care home visits will be restricted to three people per resident. However, some homes, like those run by Jewish Care, have installed outdoor pods, meaning that more visitors are permitted, provided that they do not enter the home.

Mikvahs

There will be no change regarding mikvahs, which are allowed to remain open as before.

Hospital visits

Children and people with dementia or disabilities can receive visitors at Central Middlesex Hospital, Northwick Park Hospital and St Mark’s Hospital. These visits must be booked in advance.

Jon Baker, who is the interim chief medical officer for the NHS trust regrouping these hospitals, said not to visit unless you have a prior appointment or it is an emergency.

Adults at Barnet Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital can have one pre-booked visitor per day, except if they are immuno-suppressed, or on a Covid-19 ward or surgical ward.

Only one parent or carer is allowed to stay with their child in the emergency department and ward.

Chase Farm Hospital does not currently facilitate visits.

Staying protected against the virus

Health Secretary Sajid Javid warned this week that Omicron was spreading rapidly and was present in 40 per cent of those suffering from Covid in the capital.

While it is too early to assess the severity of the new variant, hospitalisations are expected to rise in the UK over the next fortnight.

However, early data suggests a third dose of a vaccine can offer over 70 per cent protection against symptomatic infections from the new variant.

What is the death rate in the Jewish community?

There was only one Covid-related Jewish funeral last week, according to Board of Deputies records.

By comparison, there was a total of 104 in the week ending 17th April 2020, the peak of the pandemic that came after Pesach.

Nationwide, some 146,477 people had died within 28 days of a first positive test result as of Monday, authorities confirmed.

Where can I get my booster?

To find your nearest walk-in vaccination site or to book an appointment, visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/.

The UK is now offering booster doses to all adults over the age of 18.

First and second jabs remain available, with all children over the age of 12 offered two doses.