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Brits Urged To Keep Contact To A Minimum On New Year's Eve

Brits Urged To Keep Contact To A Minimum On New Year's Eve

This means many will have to refrain from sharing the traditional kiss at midnight

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

Brits have been urged to continue following the government guidance surrounding coronavirus this New Year's Eve and keep contact to a minimum.

With the new strain of the deadly disease on the rise, and the number of cases going up across the country, people have been reminded of the importance of keeping their distance.

This will mean many of us refraining from taking part in the annual tradition of kissing on the stroke of midnight.

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."

The ongoing pandemic has meant that things we'd usually enjoy at the end of the year have had to be put on hold.

People have been urged to follow the Covid guidelines this New Year's Eve.
PA

As a result, London's traditional New Year's Eve fireworks are to be replaced by a special BBC One broadcast showcasing some of the highlights - really? - and inspirational moments from 2020.

As we head into 2021, there won't be any huge celebration by the Thames as there has been every year since most of us can remember.

A lot has been different this year, but the fact that the decision to cancel the fireworks isn't really that much of a surprise when you consider what has happened in London over the past few days.

After the decision was taken to cancel the spectacular annual fireworks display, the national broadcaster stepped in to provide what is described as a 'unique broadcasting moment' recalling some of the uplifting events that we've seen this year.

London's Mayor Sadiq Khan took the decision not to hold the display earlier this year because of the coronavirus, and the move into Tier Four for the capital and parts of South East England has now rendered any gathering impossible.

The traditional fireworks display in London has been cancelled.
PA

Khan, who won't appear in the show himself, said: "The Covid-19 pandemic has meant we are not able to put on our world-famous public event on the banks of the Thames this year, but it's important we reflect on and pay tribute to the defining moments of the year and look to 2021 with hope, and that's why we are replacing it with a unique broadcast on BBC One.

"We know that New Year's Eve is traditionally an opportunity to show off our great city to the rest of the world, which we will still be doing this year in a show you'll only be able to watch from home, on the BBC.

"It will be a celebration of hope, but also provide a moment of reflection on the challenges of this year and the way Londoners pulled together."

He added: "Tier 4 restrictions for London remain in place and infection rates are rising once again, which is why there is no public event this year.

"It's vital we all continue to stick to the rules to reduce the spread of the virus and I urge Londoners to stay safe by seeing in the new year watching BBC One from the comfort of their home with those they live or are bubbled with."

There is some good news, however, with the announcement that the University of Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine has been approved for use in the UK.

According to Health Secretary Matt Hancock, the UK has ordered 100 million doses from the manufacturer, which would be enough to vaccinate 50 million people.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Science, UK politics, Coronavirus, Politics, Health, Covid-19