UK 'incomparably better placed' this New Year

 

The UK is in an "incomparably better" position now than this time last year but New Year's Eve revellers should remain cautious, the PM has said.

In a year-end message, Boris Johnson hailed the "heroic" vaccination effort, adding that all adults in England had now been offered a booster jab.

But he warned of the "challenges" of Omicron and rising hospital admissions.

The PM urged people who go out later to take a Covid test first and "remember the importance of ventilation".

It comes as UK daily Covid cases reached another record high of 189,213 on Thursday - including two days of data from Wales due to reporting backlogs over Christmas.

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New Year's Eve celebrations are set to be scaled back across much of the country.

Mr Johnson resisted calls to impose new regulations in England in the run-up to Christmas in response to the more infectious Omicron variant. But a number of events have been cancelled, including the traditional Trafalgar Square party and fireworks in London.

Meanwhile, in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland tighter rules are now in place for pubs, bars and restaurants and there are restrictions on the number of people who can gather.

Edinburgh's Hogmanay events have been cancelled, while Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford has asked those travelling to England to see in the new year to "think consciously and carefully" about their plans.

Northern Ireland's new reduced self-isolation rules allowing people with Covid to be released after seven days if they test negative twice on days six and seven, have come into force.

Speaking in a message that will be posted on social media later, Mr Johnson said "incredible" numbers of people had responded to the call to get vaccinated.

He added: "It's precisely because of that huge national effort that we can celebrate tonight at all. Though I must of course urge everyone to be cautious and to take a test if you are going out and to remember the importance of ventilation. Follow the rules if you are in Scotland or Wales or Northern Ireland."