Britons went out shopping for Christmas today in large numbers. Some were wearing masks to protect their faces ahead of Monday’s ban on masks.
This afternoon, shoppers flooded the streets of Newcastle, Bristol, and Leeds. Some were cautious about catching Covid because of concerns over the spread of super-mutant Omicron variant.
Boris Johnson on Wednesday announced England would be moving to his Covid Plan B — including compulsory mask-wearing in all indoor public spaces other than bars and restaurants — from next week in order to prevent the increase in cases fuelled by the new strain becoming overwhelming for the NHS.
Many people rushed to busy markets in order to shop for gifts the last Saturday before Christmas.

BRISTOL – Shoppers enjoyed the Christmas market today in Bristol’s city centre. Many were wearing masks to protect their faces ahead of Monday’s new restrictions.

NEWCASTLE: Crowds of shoppers pack onto Northumberland Street this afternoon on the penultimate Saturday shopping day before Christmas

LEEDS:
Pictures show shoppers walking shoulder-to-shoulder down a busy Northumberland Street in Newcastle this afternoon.
All adults are required to use face masks within indoor public spaces starting Monday, unless exempted by singing or eating.
To gain entry to large events and clubs, they will need to provide proof that their last 24-hours of immunizations were negative.
These new rules were also criticized by Tory MPs in Parliament and encourage people to work remotely if possible.

NEWCASTLE: Shoppers swarmed the streets this afternoon but were cautious to avoid catching Covid amid concerns surrounding the rampant spread of the super mutant Omicron variant

NEWCASTLE – Shoppers stroll shoulder to shoulder down Northumberland Street, Newcastle today
However, experts warn England may see more Covid hospitalisations than usual this winter, even with new restrictions.
Modeling done by London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine suggests that this strain could lead to anywhere between 25,000 and 75,000 deaths across England within the next five-months and more hospitalizations than in last year’s January.
The researchers — who also sit on the Spi-M SAGE modelling subgroup that advises No10 — said restrictions similar to stage two of the roadmap out of lockdown, which include a ban on indoor socialising at pubs and restaurants, may be needed to stop the NHS becoming overwhelmed.
The measures could be introduced as Boxing Day, to stop the tide of deaths and admissions. They also suggested that increasing the boost rollout target to 500,000 per day by the Government would not help reduce it.