Public health bosses are advising Hertfordshire residents to wear face coverings in any enclosed or crowded space, as part of a package of measures designed to halt the spread of Covid-19.

Last week, a new variant of the Covid-19 virus – Omicron – was detected but there have been no confirmed cases yet in Hertfordshire.

And at the weekend, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said wearing face coverings will become mandatory again from Tuesday in shops and on public transport.

But Hertfordshire County Council wants the public to go further urging people to wear coverings in any enclosed or crowded space.

A statement issued by the county council said: "Following the changes announced over the weekend, we are advising Hertfordshire’s residents to continue to take steps to protect themselves and others, and help stop the spread of Covid-19.

"These include getting vaccinated, wearing a face covering, opening doors and windows to let in fresh air, regularly testing for Covid-19 and self-isolating if you have symptoms or test positive.

"We are also continuing to work to advise retail, schools and employers to ensure they know what measures they need to take on Omicron."

The UK currently has 14 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant, including three in London (Westminster, Camden, Wandsworth) and one in Brentwood in Essex.

Scientists are concerned by the Omicron, or B.1.1.529 variant, because it has a high number of spike protein mutations, potentially changing the behaviour of the virus with regards to vaccines, treatments and transmissibility. All this is still uncertain, and the precautions give scientists time to properly study the new variant.

The booster vaccine campaign has been expanded, with a booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine now offered to all adults three months after people had their second dose of an original vaccine.

Although Omicron has yet to be detected in Hertfordshire, the Delta virus is still circulating through communities with almost 7,000 cases identified since at least November 20.