Partygoers from Scotland and Wales are locked down, planning to use the British hospitality laws to descend on English cities near the border to celebrate the New Year.
The introduction of Covid restrictions to pubs, clubs and bars in Scotland and Wales led to the destruction and devastation of city centers.
The rule of six and social distancing were reintroduced for thousands of venues in those areas yesterday, meanwhile revellers let their hair down in England after Sajid Javid confirmed no new rules would be put in place before the end of the year.
Many people who live in places where there are no venues can now use social media platforms to express their desire to travel across the border and have a great time in Newcastle or Bristol.
One said, “I will probably go to Bristol for nightclubbing because there are no night clubs in Wales.” The government of England, Scotland, and Wales must work together since it has become point scoring.
Another wrote: “Regrettably we just cancelled our 12 Cardiff hotel reservations and booked for Bristol NYE.”
A third added: ‘Well, Bristol, Liverpool and Newcastle will do well on NYE. NYE revellers are attracted to English cities located on the borders of Wales and Scotland. The scientific evidence is incontestable for restrictions on Wales or Scotland.
Their frustrations were echoed by University of Brighton virologist Dr Sarah Pitt, who said it does not make sense for UK nations to have different Covid restrictions.
LBC Radio’s She said that if people cannot go to the New Year’s Eve parties in Wales and Scotland they’ll simply tip over into England. This could potentially spread the virus… then take it home.
“So, I find it sensible to have one set to protect the entire country. However, there are some steps that can be taken to prevent the spread of this virus.
The Prime Minister held crunch talks with chief advisors Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance over the spread of Covid variant Omicron on Monday. Boris Johnson said that he would rather rely on guidelines to reduce socialization in the New Year than legal binding rules.
He stated that while we will monitor data closely, there won’t be any new restrictions in England prior to the New Year. All Omicron cases are increasing, so I encourage everyone to be cautious.
“Most important, I encourage everyone to have their booster or first jab immediately to safeguard yourself and your family.
It came as Professor Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at Oxford University, said he backed the Government’s decision not to impose new Covid restrictions in England before the new year.
Sir John stated that the Omicron-related spread was the result of the public’s ‘pretty negligent’ response.
The health minister took advice from the experts and has reviewed the data. He said that he believed his judgement of where to go over the coming days was probably correct.
“A lot of people are conscious that this epidemic of diseases is upon us. People in England, and especially the UK have been very responsible about trying to avoid going out, as well as spending too much time exposed to the virus.
You can’t help but notice the quiet streets and people walking along them. As we wait to see what happens, I believe that this trend will continue the following week.
After new coronavirus restrictions in Cardiff on Monday, the Live Lounge bar is now deserted.
Sir John claimed that since the implementation of the vaccination program, there have been no increases in the number of serious illness or death due to the disease.
He said that the “horrible scenes” he saw last year – ICUs being overcrowded, people dying early – is history and that it’s possible to repeat them.
Official coronavirus statistics appeared to justify No10’s reluctance to resort to economically-crippling curbs, with the number of cases recorded in England having fallen every day since Christmas.
The number of people in hospital with Covid in England is less than half the same time last year – despite cases being three times higher.
And confirmed infections were up just 7 per cent in a week to 98,515 but the figures were for England only, and did not represent Britain’s situation as a whole.
While Scotland’s case numbers reached record heights over the Christmas break, they won’t appear in Wednesday’s UK-wide update, as will Northern Ireland’s. Tomorrow will see the official recording of Wales’ Christmas tolls.
First Ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford were also today accused of ‘jumping the gun’ and ‘devastating the hospitality industry’ by bringing in tougher restrictions.
On the Monday following the Bank Holiday Monday changes, the streets of Glasgow, Cardiff, Swansea and Edinburgh were seen looking glum and deserted.
England was the opposite. In England, however, the alcohol-fueled crowds of London and Leeds were still in festive spirits – bravely braving the rain on Bank Holiday Monday in order to take advantage of the looser hospitality regulations.
After new Covid curbs in Wales, which placed restrictions on the hotel sector in Cardiff, a quiet High Street was seen in Cardiff Monday night
The normally busy Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow is desolate with only a handful of revellers amid the introduction of new Covid rules
The new measures caused Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland to close earlier than expected and a woman walking past it.
A worker attaches the Santa Claus and Santa sleigh models to the rear of a car at Winter Wonderland, Cardiff
A vacant Church Street in Cardiff, after the revised alert level two measures came into effect on Boxing Day
After First Minister Mark Drakeford’s introduction of new Covid measures, empty chairs and tables were found on High Street near Castle Arcade in Cardiff.
Wind Street is still a popular area for revellers in Swansea, despite the fact that nightclubs have been closed for three consecutive weeks starting December 27, 2012.
Hotel restrictions caused damage to the inside of Glasgow’s busy Campus bar on Sauchiehall Street.
The introduction of Covid hospitality restrictions has left many cities in Scotland and Wales desolate.
Untroubled Wind Street, Swansea, after the new Covid rules were introduced. These included closing nightclubs in Wales.
Up to three households may meet in Scotland. There is a one-metre separation between the groups when they are at outdoor and indoor venues like bars, restaurants and cinemas.
For places that serve alcohol, tables must be served.
Wales allows six people to meet at a time in bars, restaurants, and cinemas. Social distancing has been reinstated. Indoor events will allow 30 to 40 people, with the limit being raised to 50 for those who are outdoors.
Northern Ireland also restricts socializing to just three households. However, up to six individuals can be seated in bars, restaurants, and pubs.
Even though New Year’s Eve is a nightclub holiday, all hospitality venues are closed and no dancing in them will be allowed.
However, residents reacted furiously to Mr Johnson’s decision to give the go-ahead to England to mark the New Year.
Eileen Queen called the decision an “utter disgrace”.
Twitter: “A disgrace that Sturgeon has all us having three weeks of this. 500 football fan a game. Hospitality hit horribly.
“England does not listen to advice. This is how sturgeon feels about us. He has never hated any politician in his life.
A resident stated that Boris had wrongfooted Sturgeon as he followed science, while she followed her flawed nationalist political agenda.
“She’s single-handedly decimated Scotland’s hospitality industry, and destroyed New Year’s celebrations.”
Another person wrote: “Drakeford & Sturgeon leapt the gun. They need to pay the damages they caused to Scottish and Welsh companies.
“They can’t look to the UK for funding their unneeded authoritarian behavior.”
This week, Ms. Sturgeon also caused a stir after she refused to lower the self-isolation requirement for ten consecutive days. She was unable to bring it into line with England’s approach. It has been reduced to seven days with two negative lateral flow tests on day six and seven.
Glasgow’s nightclub owner had a harsh description of the Scottish National Party. Twitter users shared memes depicting Mr Drakeford or Ms Sturgeon over posters about the 2000 film How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
After Boris Johnson said that no new rules will be implemented before New Year’s Eve celebrations, Revellers photos taken outside Leeds nightclubs
On Monday Bank Holiday, revelers braved the rain to take advantage of relaxed hospitality regulations in England.
On Monday night, a large crowd gathered in Leicester Square, central London.
Leeds partygoers brave rain to wait in the queue at a Leeds nightclub.
Crowd of mask-wearing people in a London venue, Leicester Square. No new restrictions were introduced.
The much-anticipated Covid statistics today gave an overview of UK Christmas Day and Boxing Day, although no public figures were available.
Christmas Day: England recorded 113,628 positive results.
A further 108,893 were logged on Boxing Day – 103,558 in England and 5,335 in Wales.
Over the next days, the equivalent numbers for Scotland and Northern Ireland should trickle into the Government’s own system.
According to separate hospitalization figures, there were 1,281 Covid admits for England on December 25, according to separate data.
The number was 74% higher week-over-week than February 16, and is now the highest since February 16.
Admissions to the coronavirus second wave peaked at more than 4,100 on January 12.
On Monday revellers in England were celebrating, but Health Secretary Sajid javid kept threatening to tighten restrictions in 2022 for England to be in line with the rest. Javid urged people to remain cautious.
Following the release of the daily Covid statistics, Mr Javid told broadcasters: ‘We look at the data on a daily basis – that hasn’t changed over the Christmas period.
“But we will take no additional measures until the new year. People should be cautious when approaching New Year’s festivities.
“Take a lateralflow test if it makes sense. If possible, enjoy outside and have ventilation.
“Please stay cautious. When we reach the new year of 2019, we will determine if further actions are necessary, but we won’t do anything until then.
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister, imposed stricter restrictions on the country. This halted plans to celebrate Hogmanay.
Mark Drakeford is the first minister of Wales during a conference that took place at Cathays Park’s Welsh Government Building, on Tuesday 22 December.
Johnson won praise from his own party when he decided against following the UK into new Covid rules.
Brendan Clarke Smith, Tory backbencher and one of those who voted against Plan B restrictions prior to Christmas, stated: “This is fantastic news. It will be appreciated by everyone who wants to continue their lives and be able enjoy the new year.
“Not so great news for scaremongerers and Covid socialists, or mask sellers. We can only hope for no more restrictions in the future.
The PM for England considered possible restrictions over the last few days, including closing pubs or restaurants indoors, returning the rule of 6 or restricting how many households meet indoors, as well as limiting the capacity at large events.
Beleaguered hotel bosses welcomed the decision not to introduce them, which provides much-needed relief after a difficult Christmas season that was marred by cancellations because of Omicron fears.
Boris has his nerve and New Year’s Eve goes on. Sajid Javid rules no Covid restrictions after the highest number of hospital admissions since February. But, he failed to breach London’s key lockdown threshold. Cases rose just 7% to 98.515
Stephen Matthews, Chay Quin Health Editor and David Wilcock Whitehall Correspondent MailOnline
After weeks of uncertainty, England’s New Year’s Eve festivities were finally given their green light today. Boris Johnson had held firm despite grim Omicron warnings by his advisers. He avoided tightening his belt and avoided any new regulations.
The Prime Minister would rather rely upon guidance that encourages people to limit socializing than to impose legal binding curbs such as those in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
Today, Mr Johnson had crunch talks today with Sir Patrick Vallance and Professor Chris Whitty, his chief advisors. This raised concerns that No10 might unveil new restrictions just in time for this year’s last social hurrah. He has refused to compromise on his demands for more aggressive action.
Sajid javid stated that England will go it alone and not take any additional measures prior to the new year. Sky News reported that he said: “It is up to each country making up the UK how it wishes to proceed.”
However, the Health Secretary sent out the threat that restrictions would be tightened in 2022 for England to keep up with its home nation neighbors. She urged people to remain cautious.
Official coronavirus statistics appeared to justify No10’s reluctance to resort to economically-crippling curbs, with the number of cases recorded in England having fallen every day since Christmas.
Following a crucial meeting with scientists today, Boris Johnson (pictured) has decided to not impose harsh Covid restrictions in the New Year.
Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer of England (right), and Patrick Vallance, Chief Scientific Advisor, earlier in the year. Talks will be held between the Prime Minister and advisers in order to determine if legal restrictions are necessary to address Omicron’s threat.
Today’s confirmed infected cases rose by 7% over a week, to 98.515, but these figures are for England and do not reflect the entire country.
The cases in Scotland rose to new heights over the Christmas break, but they won’t be included as part of the UK update until Wednesday. Tomorrow will see the official recording of Wales’s tolls over Christmas.
But, data from other sources revealed that the NHS is under threat by Omicron’s New Year. Covid hospital admissions in England hit the highest level since February on Christmas Day, with 1,281 coronavirus-infected patients placed on wards, up 74 per cent in a week.
However, this same grim data, which shows how an ultra-infectious variant is triggering spiralling infection rates throughout the country also shows that Omicron hotspot London daily hospitalisation numbers are still below what would be considered No10’s threshold point to imposing new restrictions across England. The official data shows that London’s epidemic is declining, which is encouraging.
Deaths have increased more than three times since last Monday, when 44 were recorded. However, this is due to a record lag. There were no deaths on Christmas Day and only three on Boxing Day.
The legal limits would be lifted completely if Parliament was not recalled in 48 hours. This would cause chaos for Tory backbenchers as well as serious issues for the hotel industry.
However, Johnson received praise from his party. Conservative MPs said that the data did not support him being more aggressive. Andrew Bridgen described the actions taken in Scotland, Wales as an “overreaction”.
It was:
- As leaders of nations try to stop the Omicron variant spreading, tensions flared as stricter coronavirus regulations were introduced today in Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Neil Ferguson of “Professor Lockdown” described how he was’something like a marmite character’, admitting that he’d made mistakes during the pandemic and had ‘oversimplified’ things.
- Union bosses warn that entire year-long groups of students may be sent home by their headteachers, if Omicron causes staffing problems when schools resume next month.
- Beijing ordered that roads and buildings in the Chinese city Xian be cleaned. It also increased lockdown restrictions to their strictest level.
Following the release of the daily Covid statistics, Mr Javid told broadcasters: ‘We look at the data on a daily basis – that hasn’t changed over the Christmas period.
“But we will take no additional measures until the new year. People should be cautious when approaching New Year’s festivities.
“Take a lateralflow test if it makes sense. If possible, enjoy outside and have ventilation.
“Please stay cautious. When we reach the new year of 2019, we will determine if further actions are necessary, but we won’t do anything until then.
Brendan Clarke Smith, Tory backbencher and one of those Tories who voted against Plan B restrictions prior to Christmas, has praised the government’s action.
He declared, “This is wonderful news. It will be welcome by everyone who wants to move on in their lives and enjoy the New Year.”
“Not so great news for scaremongers, Covid socialists, and mask sellers.
“Now, let’s pray there are no more restrictions after that.”
The much-anticipated Covid statistics today also provided a breakdown on the situation on Christmas Day (when no figures were released publicly)
Christmas Day: England recorded 113,628 positive results.
A further 108,893 were logged on Boxing Day – 103,558 in England and 5,335 in Wales.
Over the next days, the equivalent numbers for Scotland and Northern Ireland should trickle into the Government’s own system.
There were separate hospitalization figures in England. 1281 Covid admissions as of December 25.
The number was 74% higher week-on–week than February 16, and is now the highest since February 16.
Admissions to the coronavirus second wave peaked at more than 4,100 on January 12.
On Christmas Day in London, there were 364 admissions, an increase of 73% week-on-week. It was nevertheless below the December 23 report of 390 admissions.
The figure was also less than 400 per day, the number Government advisers believed could be used to trigger national restrictions.
The second wave of admissions peaked at London’s 977 in January 6.
In the recent days, the PM of England has considered restrictions such as closing bars and restaurants, returning the rule of 6 or limiting the number of homes meeting indoors, and limit capacity for mass events.
The beleaguered hospitality sector urged Johnson last night to remain firm despite hopeful signs Omicron may not prove as deadly as it was in the past.
Restaurant and pub owners are cautiously welcoming the announcement by Government that there will not be any new restrictions before New Years Eve.
This move provides relief to beleaguered hospitality businesses after Christmas was marred by cancellations owing to concerns over Omicron’s variant of Covid.
Daniel Farrow is the owner of The Gatherers restaurant and bar in Norwich. He said that 60% of his bookings were cancelled during the week leading up to Christmas.
According to Mr Farrow (26), “It is really good news. It really helps people.
“But, you know that having a great New Year’s Day will only be one day of a month when we should have traded at our full potential. We traded at 20% in reality.
Meanwhile, all nightclubs in Scotland will close by today and businesses that provide hospitality services will have to offer only table service for alcohol-serving customers.
The one-metre social distancing rules will be enforced by bars and restaurants, as well as indoor leisure venues like theatres, gyms, and museums.
After caps on large events were placed from Sunday, the restrictions came after they had been lifted.
Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Canada, announced that only 100 would be able attend an indoor standing event while 200 could sit.
Also, outdoor events will be limited to 500 participants – this rule has been the hardest hit by football players.
Jason Leach (Scotland’s National Clinical Director) appeared to criticize Mr Johnson’s approach. Leach told BBC Radio 4’s Today that Johnson had not responded well to delays and it never has reacted to slow or soft responses. It has always preferred hard responses.