barbados has removed the queen as head of state after almost a00 years and transitioned to a republic— swearing in its first ever barbadian president. thousands of families across the uk are still without power because of storm arwen. good morning and welcome to bbc news. new rules aimed at limiting the spread of the omicron variant of coronavirus have come into force today as more cases have been recorded in the uk. the prime minister is due to speak at a downing street news conference — where he'll set out plans to accelerate the booster jab programme — with all adults in the uk to be offered a third vaccine. face coverings must now be worn in shops and on public transport in england.