English revellers enjoy New Year’s Eve party
Party like it’s 2022!: Revellers hit the pubs and bars in cities such as London, Liverpool and Newcastle as they prepare to welcome in the New Year Covid restriction free – unlike in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different rules for going out on New Year’s EvePrime Minister Boris Johnson said people should be cautious when going out to parties this evening In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, people have been advised to limit mixing with strangers Thousands of people have travelled to England to take advantage of the less stringent Covid-19 regulations
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Millions of revellers headed out for an early New Year’s Eve party, with their numbers boosted by Scots and Welsh people fleeing domestic Covid-19 restrictions.
The party goers were able to enjoy the hottest New Year’s Eve since records began – with the temperature hitting more than 60f.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has cancelled the city’s traditional firework display because of the threat of Covid-19 and the Trafalgar Square party has also been scrapped.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people to get tested before meeting up for the New Year Eve festivities. However, many have decided to stay at home to avoid possible exposure to the Omicron variant.
He said: ‘Everybody should enjoy New Year but in a cautious and sensible way – take a test, ventilation, think about others but, above all, get a booster.’
Those travelling by taxis or public transport should wear a mask, although they are not required in bars, restaurants or nightclubs.
Anyone in England going to a nightclub has been warned the will have to show their NHS Covid pass.
The PM, unlike the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, decided against imposing additional restrictions in England, despite record-breaking Covid-19 infections fuelled by the Omicron variant.
Scotland’s Deputy First Minister John Swinney criticised those planning to travel to England to celebrate Hogmanay, claiming it was the ‘wrong course of action’ and against the ‘spirit’ of the regulations.
Revellers such as these two ladies in Leeds were out early for New Year’s Eve, enjoying the unseasonably warm weather conditions ahead of tonight’s party
Large numbers of Scots travelled south to Newcastle where they were determined to have a good night out
Friends took advantage of the lax Covid-19 restrictions in England to meet up and celebrate the end of 2021 in pubs and nightclubs
Thousands of people were in Leeds City centre hours before midnight, such as these three ladies outside a city bar
In Liverpool, these young ladies in fancy dress were probably quite thankful by today’s record-breaking temperatures
Pubs and clubs in Newcastle were busy on New Years Eve with large numbers of revellers from Scotland joining the Geordies
Despite the cancellation of the Trafalgar Square party, Leicester Square was packed with people from the early evening
In Cardiff, bars and streets which would have normally been packed were empty as a result of stringent Covid-19 rules
Thousands of Scots headed south to towns and cities in England such as Newcastle and Blackpool to celebrate Hogmanay
This group of friends left Scotland early to celebrate the end of 2021 in a Newcastle bar or nightclub
The Newcastle Arms Hotel in Coldstream on the Scottish borders was very quiet as it was just north of the border, pictured owner Robin Lees
Newcastle bars are expecting a busier than normal night with the number of Scottish people who have crossed the border
The unusually warm weather was welcomed by revellers in Newcastle who did not need to carry heavy coats or an umbrella
In Scotland, events have one-metre social distancing and are limited to 100 people standing indoors, 200 people sitting indoors and 500 people outdoors, with one-metre physical distancing in place in all indoor hospitality and leisure settings. These restrictions include gatherings for Hogmanay celebrations.
Where alcohol is being served, table service is also required.
The Scottish Government has urged people to ‘stay at home as much as possible’, with any meet-ups to be limited to a maximum of three households.
Since December 14, people have been asked to reduce their social contact as much as possible by meeting in groups of no more than three households.
In Northern Ireland, nightclubs are closed this evening and dancing has been banned in hospitality venues.
For those venturing out to restaurants, table numbers must be limited to six people and diners must remain seated for table service.
In Wales, current rules say groups of no more than six are allowed to meet in pubs, cinemas and restaurants, while licensed premises can offer table service only.
In pubs and other licensed premises, face masks should be worn, with contact tracing details collected, and customers should observe two-metre social distancing rules.
Nightclubs have been closed since Boxing Day in Wales. A maximum of 30 people can attend indoor events and a maximum of 50 people can be present for outdoor events.
Eren Saygilier (left) and Kerri Patterson, from Berwick-upon-Tweed, went north to Edinburgh on New Year’s Eve, despite official festivities having been cancelled by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
Some people stood outside the iconic French House in Soho, pictured, enjoying a glass of wine
A hoarding has been erected around Eros to save him from revellers ringing in the New Year in a few hours’ time
Some people were out early to beat the crowds that are expected to flock into town and city centres across England
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said the imposition of draconian restrictions in England would be a ‘last resort’
Hundreds of people lined the banks of the River Thames opposite the London Eye ahead of the New Year’s Eve fireworks display which the Mayor of London said would not be visible from the ground or at any major tourist destination
Several ambulances were on standby in Central London while people stood waiting for the stroke of midnight which would be announced this year by Big Ben
After being forced to close under last year’s lockdown restrictions, many bars and clubs in Liverpool looked busy with revellers this evening.
Castle Street, Mathew Street and Concert Square were all full of life after another year punctuated by restrictions and uncertainty for businesses.
In Bristol, Jake Cotter, Tyler Calder and Morgan Drewson all caught an early evening train from Swansea to Temple Meads station.
Jake said: ‘We’re all heading to Bristol because of cause Wales is in lockdown.
‘We all want to go out and celebrate New Year’s Eve so we headed to the nearest place to use which is Bristol.’
Tyler added: ‘Considering all the regulations inside Wales in the clubs and pubs, the having to sit down and the table service, you can’t really have a good night out.
‘The regulations are a bit ridiculous. I like watching football and if I could travel to Bristol on Saturday and watch the football but I can’t go to a nightclub at home.
‘If I stay at home I am effectively restricted to my own house.
‘Given the fact that we are all 20, we are at that sort of party age, and it’s boring. We’ve had nearly two years of lockdown and if we have the opportunity to go to a rave or somewhere in England, we are going to go for it.
‘We’ve missed out on some much already. We want to go out and do normal things and meet people.’
In Manchester, people seeking to enter Depot Mayfield in Manchester had to show their Covid 19 passes to access the venue
Depot Mayfield has a capacity of 10,000 people. Clubbers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were asked to stay at home
Up to 10,000 people are expected in Depot Mayfield nightclub in Manchester where revellers will party until 4am
Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged caution for people going out this evening suggesting they should have an antigen Covid-19 test before meeting up with friends
In Deacon Brodies Tavern in the centre of Edinburgh, there was plenty of room as most Scots remained at home
Victoria Street in Edinburgh would normally be packed on New Year’s Eve, but Covid-19 forced authorities to cancel the party
Large numbers of police were on patrol in Central London, pictured here on Leicester Square in advance of midnight celebrations
