REVELLERS put Omicron fears aside to hit bars and clubs for a festive knees up on Christmas Eve.
The enthusiastic party-goers were seen braving the cold to find the few pubs open for business as rising cases numbers takes its toll on the hospitality sector.
Groups of friends were seen letting their hair down to mark the official arrival of Christmas Day as the clock struck midnight.
COVID ruined festivities for 122,186 unlucky Brits who tested positive and were forced into self-isolation just hours before Christmas.
Total Omicron infections hit 114,625 on Thursday but new research has offered glimmer of hope.
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.
Trending In The News’s Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits’ arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.
While some hospitality venues were able to host those looking to have a good time out before the big day, others were forced to close their doors to the Christmas rush as workers fall ill and the super-strain grips cities.
Areas normally teeming with people across the holiday season were seen looking bare and empty.
Some bosses say they had “no option” but to close during a “double whammy” of sick staff and customers staying away over concerns their festive plans could be disrupted.And normally-busy streets have fallen quiet as office workers stay at home and shoppers head online to buy gifts for loved ones.
Some roads in London were seen looking very quiet as COVID cases soar.
Boris Johnson may decide on new Covid rules after he is presented with the latest figures on Monday – with questions looming over New Year’s Eve.
The Prime Minister will be watching hospital admission rates in the capital before considering any further restrictions.
