REVELLERS danced in the streets and hit pubs and clubs after no new restrictions were announced for New Year’s Eve.
Boris Johnson last night urged partygoers to take care, but defied demands for curbs after data showed Omicron has not overwhelmed hospitals.
Defying Sage doomsters and fellow gloomsters, the PM decided against imposing any further curbs this year.
A string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other strains, with the first official UK report revealing 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.
Last night enthusiastic party-goers were seen braving the cold to celebrate the lack of new rules.
Groups of friends in Leeds were seen letting their hair down while dancing in the street.
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Millions in England have faced an anxious few days as they waited to hear if lockdown restrictions would be imposed this week.
Ministers had been weighing up curbs such as a return to the rule of six and closing pubs indoors.
But the PM decided the measures were not yet needed after being briefed on hospital data by Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance yesterday.
Announcing the good news, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “People should remain cautious as we approach New Year celebrations, and take a lateral flow test, celebrate outside if you can, have some ventilation indoors if you can.”
He too urged Brits to get their booster if they want to stay out of hospital. And he warned that more restrictions could be imposed in 2022 if hospitals start to struggle.
Mr Johnson acted after new health data showed the number of people going into hospital with Covid actually fell before Christmas.
Last night, he tweeted: “We will continue to monitor the data carefully, but there will be no new restrictions introduced in England before the New Year.
“However, I would urge everyone to continue to act cautiously given the rising number of Omicron cases.
“Most importantly I urge everyone to get their first, second or booster jab without delay to protect yourselves and your loved ones.”
But as partygoers in England looked forward to New Year’s Eve celebrations there was fury in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland where clubs are closed and pubs face restrictions.
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