Revellers brave the rain to sink pints at pubs and clubs as experts warn Omicron Covid variant is spreading rapidly
REVELLERS braved the rain to enjoy pints at pubs and clubs last night despite experts warning that the Omicron Covid variant is spreading rapidly.
Partygoers defied the torrential rain and the strong winds as they kicked off the Christmas festivities on the first weekend of December amid growing concerns of Omicron.
Revellers dressed to the nines were pictured queuing outside bars and clubs despite the heavy downpours in Birmingham, Newcastle and Nottingham.
Two resourceful women were snapped holding orange plastic bags over their heads as they sheltered from the rain and wind.
Others were spotted struggling to keep an umbrella open due to strong winds.
Some boozy revellers are already in the Christmas spirit as they took to the streets wearing festive outfits.
Meanwhile, concerns over a Christmas lockdown have been mounting even after Boris Johnson begged confused Brits not to panic and insisted Christmas parties should not be cancelled.
And Dominic Raab agreed by saying people should “enjoy” gatherings and Christmas with their families and loved ones around them.
Most read in News
Speaking on BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, Mr Raab said: “It’s going to be a great Christmas.
“All the families, friends, loved ones are being able to get together in a way we haven’t been able to do for a couple of years.
Read our Omicron variant live blog for the latest news
“Of course we’ll continue to be vigilant about variants but the reality is we are in a much more confident position because of the vaccine, because of the boosters.
“People should enjoy Christmas, get their loved ones around them, and celebrate it in a way we haven’t been able to in the past.”
Scientists are already estimating that one in every 300 new cases are caused by the mutant super-strain Omicron.
And health officials revealed that more than half of the Omicron cases in England are among Brits who are double vaccinated.
It comes as the World Health Organisation said they had not seen any reports of deaths related to Omicron, but the new variant’s spread has led to warnings that it could cause more than half of Europe’s Covid cases in the next few months.
Cases of the new strain have been recorded in a total of 38 countries with the US and Australia becoming the latest countries to report cases of the variant.
In the latest major travel rules update, travellers must now take a Covid test 48 hours before entering the UK in a bid to stop the spread of Omicron.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the measures were “hugely unfortunate” but insisted they would be temporary”.
He added: “We want to remove them as soon as we possibly can.”
Meanwhile, it’s reported first at-home Covid pill could be available by Christmas in a bid to combat the Omicron variant.
Sajid Javid is reportedly set to launch a national pilot of the “game-changer” oral treatment – the Molnupiravir anti-viral pill, also known as Lagevrio – in the coming weeks.
Last month, the UK’s drugs regulator declared the pills as “safe and effective” at slashing hospitalisations and deaths in people who have caught the killer bug, becoming the first country in the world to license its use – a move described as a “game-changer” by Mr Javid.
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The Sun news desk?
Email us at exclusive@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4104. You can WhatsApp us on 07423 720 250. We pay for videos too.
Click here to upload yours.
Click here to get The Sun newspaper delivered for FREE for the next six weeks.