What are the rules for New Year’s Eve in my area? All you need to know about Scotland, Wales, England & NI restrictions
BORIS Johnson saved New Year's Eve for England after he confirmed there will be NO new lockdown rules announced before January 1.
But the same cannot be said for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with the three devolved nations all launching a Boxing Day crackdown to stem the surge of Omicron.
Leaders are now being urged to "do a Boris" and reverse any decisions to stop normal New Year's celebrations after a string of hugely positive studies showed Omicron IS milder than other strains.
The first official UK report revealed the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.
Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.
The Sun's Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits' arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.
As jubilant - and fully-jabbed - Brits look forward to their New Year's Eve celebrations, here we break down what is permitted in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
What are the rules in England?
Earlier this month, face coverings became mandatory again in most indoor settings - including on all public transport, in supermarkets and in beauty salons.
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Working from home whenever possible was also reintroduced.
And all nightclubs, unseated indoor events with more than 500 people, outdoor events with more than 4,000 unseated people and any events with 10,000 people must now ask for an NHS Covid pass or proof of negative test on admission.
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The passes verify that Brits are fully jabbed.
Yesterday, Sajid Javid confirmed that there would be no new Covid-19 lockdown rules announced ahead of New Year's Eve.
But the Health Secretary stressed Brits should "remain cautious", take a lateral flow and celebrate outside or in a well-ventilated room - as he urged everyone to get their jabs if they can.
In other Covid-19 news:
- Revellers danced in the streets and hit pubs and clubs after no new restrictions were announced for New Year’s Eve;
- Covid restrictions might not be introduced in the new year after the Health Secretary praised the booster jab uptake;
- New Year’s Eve revellers should take a lateral flow test and celebrate outside, Sajid Javid said;
- Hospitality bosses praised Boris Johnson for saving New Year’s Eve - their busiest night of the year;
- Professor Neil Ferguson has admitted he "oversimplified things" with his doomsday Covid predictions.
He added: "We look at the data on a daily basis - that hasn't changed over the Christmas period.
"But there will be no further measures before the new year. Of course, people should remain cautious as we approach New Year's celebrations."
What are the rules in Scotland?
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon issued a Boxing Day crackdown across Scotland for large events - with attendees ordered to keep one metre distance from one another.
Crowds will also be limited to 100 people standing indoors, 200 people sitting indoors and 500 people outdoors.
Only three households are able to socialise at indoor and outdoor venues, including bars, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and gyms, with one metre social distancing.
Table service has also made a comeback in places where alcohol is served.
Scottish bar bosses urged Sturgeon to “do a Boris” and reverse her decision to cancel Hogmanay celebrations.
If she doesn’t a “Scots Invasion” of revellers will cross the border to ring in 2022 in Newcastle and Manchester, they predicted.
What are the rules in Wales?
The loathed Rule of Six has returned in Wales, with only half a dozen people allowed to meet in pubs, cinemas and restaurants.
Two metre social distancing is also required in public premises and offices, as nightclubs close their doors ahead of New Year's Eve.
The restrictions are a revised version of Wales' alert level two .
Welsh partygoers are expected to descend on Bristol if Wales’ Labour leader Mark Drakeford refuses to make a U-turn on strict curbs before New Year's Eve.
What are the rules in Northern Ireland?
Those in Northern Ireland have also been slapped with restrictions - with nightclubs shut and indoor standing events banned.
Only three separate households are permitted to get together, while parties of up to six people can gather in pubs, bars and restaurants.
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If from the same household, ten people can mingle in public spaces - but only table service will be available.
A two-metre social distancing rule is in place in public premises and offices.
