What New Year’s Eve might look like with nightclubs closed, no house parties and pubs only serving in beer gardens
PARTY-loving Brits fear their New Year's Eve bashes could be slashed as plans are expected to be hampered by tough Covid restrictions after Christmas.
A dreaded potential return to Step 2 measures as soon as December 27 brings the threat of nightclub closures, a ban on indoor mixing and pubs barred from serving inside.
Fears are mounting of a post-Christmas circuit-breaker after Boris Johnson last night declared the festive weekend can go ahead without lockdown measures.
With extra restrictions on the cards, Brits have been urged to do their bit and get their boosters, as data shows boosters offer up to 75 per cent protection from mild infection from Omicron.
Volunteers are signing up in droves to help out the campaign effort including the heroic recruits of The Sun's Jabs Army.
But Care Minister Gillian Keegan today warned Brits not to plan a New Year's Eve party unless you can cancel at the last minute as the country could be flung back into the Dark Ages of last spring - with outdoor pints and the rule of six.
It means Brits may be forced to scale back their boozy bashes and have see in 2022 in a tamer fashion.
The PM is mulling extra restricions from as soon as December 27 as cases of Covid and the Omicron variant continue surge, as he warned that “the situation remains finely balanced” and that “we cannot rule out further measures after Christmas”.
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Mr Johnson is yet to confirm what restrictions will be imposed after Christmas, but this is how New Year's Eve could shape up if Step 2 measures are reinforced:
NIGHTCLUBS
Hopes are fading that Brits wanting to dance their way into the New Year will be able to chuck and their glad rags and head to the local club for NYE.
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A temporary return to Step 2 measures would see all nightclubs closed and party-goers unable to celebrate the New Year in style.
Under current restrictions, Brits must show their Covid pass or proof of a negative test result to get in to clubs.
PUBS
Pubs and restaurants could once again be closed for indoor service, forcing drinkers to have their pints outside in the winter chill.
Landlords will also have to ensure there's table service to stop punters congregating at the bar as indoor service will be halted.
Last time, scores of venues put up temporary outdoor seating areas for people to dine al-fresco.
It means Brits wanting to head to the pub with pals on NYE will have to face the cold condition and tuck into their pints outside.
HOUSE PARTIES
House parties will likely be off the cards for NYE as indoor mixing could be banned from Monday or Tuesday.
Brits could be stopped from mixing inside with anyone except from their own household or support bubble.
Mixing may only be permitted outdoors - which includes gardens - in groups of six people or two households.
HAPPY NEW FEAR
Boris Johnson last night confirmed he will not impose more restrictions before December 25 but ruled nothing out afterwards to tackle Omicron.
While the announcement came as a relief to millions preparing to see family and friends, Brits are also crying out for clarity about New Years Eve plans.
Asked if hosts should start making arrangements, care minister Ms Keegan told LBC: "There is uncertainty. So if you can't change your plans quickly, then maybe think about it.
"But there is uncertainty, we can't predict what the data is going to tell us before we've got the data.
"We're trying to take a balanced and proportionate approach so that people could see their families over Christmas to try and plan some stuff"
Parliament could be recalled as soon as December 28, after Mr Johnson promised MPs would get a say on any new measures.
It comes as it emerged that 90 per cent of Covid patients in hospital intensive care units are unvaccinated.
Yesterday confirmed cases of the new more infectious strain dipped slightly.
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Another 90,629 were reported along with 172 deaths.
No10 is on red alert for the NHS being overwhelmed in the coming weeks.
