KISSING BANNED
New Year’s Eve rules: Brits banned from ringing in 2021 with a kiss as mutant Covid strain runs rampant
BRITS are banned from seeing in 2021 with a kiss as the mutant Covid strain spreads through the UK.
No10 today urged everyone to stick to social distancing for any NYE celebrations - which means no locking of lips with anyone outside your household.
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It is a tradition to have a smooch as the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, but to keep as safe as possible, partygoers should steer clear.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: "We've been clear, the PM has said previously it's important that everybody continues to follow the guidelines and do everything they can to reduce the transmission of the virus.
"That remains the case on New Year's Eve so we are asking people to stick to the guidance and keep contact to a minimum."
It comes after doctors urged Brits not to party with pals on New Year's Eve after hospitals were "wall to wall" with Covid patients on Christmas Day.
Hospitals are facing a rise in pressure as the number of coronavirus patients receiving treatment rockets past the April peak.
A mutated strain has seen cases rise and sparked fears of a third wave, as swathes of England are locked down in strict tiers.
Dr Katherine Henderson, the president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, described her experience in hospital on Christmas Day as "wall-to-wall Covid" and begged Brits not to gather for New Year's Eve celebrations.
She told BBC Breakfast: "Please, don’t take a chance on this, please don’t make it likely that we have an additional surge [on New Year’s Eve].
"Don’t mix, wear masks, wash your hands, keep separate — all the things we know we really need people to take very, very seriously."
'FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES'
Strict Tier rules will stop millions of people gathering indoors to ring in 2021 - as the PM urged the public to exercise “extreme caution” over the festive period.
But regardless of tier, not a single person will be able to ring in the New Year with a toast in the pub as venues have been told by the Government they must be closed by 11pm.
There’s nothing stopping people from celebrating in their own homes but it must be with the people in your household or support bubble.
Most New Year’s celebrations have already been cancelled due to the pandemic, with Sadiq Khan cancelling London’s iconic fireworks display back in September.
Brits in Tier Two will be able to go to hospitality venues to celebrate the occasion - but only with a member of the same household.
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And anyone heading to the pub to bring in the New Year will need to order a substantial meal alongside alcohol.
Brits in Tier 1 are allowed to meet in pubs with groups of up to six - but these rules only apply in the Scilly Isles.
The elderly should also delay seeing family and friends until they have got the vaccine, Professor Chris Whitty warned.
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Doctors urge Brits not to party with pals on New Year’s Eve as hospitals are ‘wall to wall’ with Covid patients
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