'Covid loves a crowd': NHS chief Prof Stephen Powis tells Britons NOT to throw New Year's Eve parties and see in 2021 'within the rules'
Britons have been warned not to throw New Year's Eve parties because 'Covid loves a crowd'.
NHS England medical director Professor Stephen Powis urged people to see in 2021 'within the rules', which means no indoor mixing between households.
All of England - except 2,000 residents on the Isles of Scilly - face the two toughest coronavirus tiers from midnight, thwarting typical December 31 celebrations.
Prof Powis told a Downing Street press briefing: 'We can all play a part in fighting this terrible virus: stay at home, mark the New Year with just nearest and dearest within the rules.
'This action will reduce infections, relieve pressures on hospitals, and that's how everybody can help to save a life.
'Covid loves a crowd, so please leave the parties for later in the year.'
NHS England medical director Professor Stephen Powis urged people to see in 2021 'within the rules', which means no indoor mixing between households, supported by Boris Johnson
The UK suffered its most deadly day in the pandemic since April after 981 fatalities were recorded, sparking fears about hospitals becoming overwhelmed
Three-quarters of England will tomorrow wake up to the most draconian Tier 4 measures after Boris Johnson pledged to 'redouble' the fight against Covid-19.
The UK suffered its most deadly day in the pandemic since April after 981 fatalities were recorded, sparking fears about hospitals becoming overwhelmed.
Regulators today approved the 'game-changing' Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, which Health Secretary Matt Hancock said could bring an end to the crisis by the spring.
But until then Britons face brutal restrictions, which the Prime Minister said he 'bitterly regretted' but felt necessary to wrestle down the surging new strain of the disease.
At the No10 news briefing he reiterated Prof Powis' plea for people to hold off New Year's Eve revelry.
He said: 'I must ask you to follow the rules where you live tomorrow night and see in the New Year safely at home.
'That means not meeting up with friends or family indoors, unless they're in the same household or support bubble, and avoiding large gatherings of any kind.'
At the No10 news briefing the PM reiterated Prof Powis' plea for people to hold off New Year's Eve revelry
Drinkers head out to celebrate in Exeter, Devon, for their last drinks of 2020 after Johnson announced he would be plunging almost all of England into Tier 3 or 4
The restrictions will also scupper any celebratory Brexit gatherings as the UK leaves the transition period at 11pm tomorrow night
'It is almost certainly true that the NHS has not yet seen the impact of the infections that will have occurred during mixing on Christmas Day and that is also unfortunately rather sobering,' Prof Van-Tam said.
Scotland Yard said officer patrols would be stepped up tomorrow night and warned Londoners could be handed hefty fines for breaching the rules.
A senior police chief issued a warning to potential revellers to 'celebrate the New Year in the comfort of their own homes, not the homes of family and friends'.
Commander Paul Brogden, who is leading this year's operation, said: 'I would urge everyone to exercise caution, listen to government advice and celebrate the New Year in the comfort of their own homes, not the homes of family and friends.
'The public can expect to see officers deployed across the capital, supporting communities and focusing strongly on the few people intent on breaching and ignoring the guidance put in place to keep everyone safe.
'Officers will also be paying attention to parts of London that are experiencing the highest infection rates.
'As we have throughout the year, if we become aware of planned events that breach Covid regulations, we will engage with organisers or venues to make them fully aware of the legal consequences and encourage them to cancel.
'Failure to cancel such events, like unlicensed music events, will likely see the organiser facing a very significant fine.
'Although the New Year is almost upon us, now is not the time for complacency or to meet with others and hold parties of any kind.
'If people insist on gathering and breaching regulations, then officers will attend and encourage people to disperse.
'Where necessary, enforcement action, including fines starting at £100 and working their way up to £10,000, will be considered.'
Stressing the importance of sticking to the rules at the press conference, England's deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said the NHS had yet to see the impact of household mixing over Christmas.
He said the situation in the UK is 'precarious in many parts already' and urged the public to 'play your part from bringing us back from this very dangerous situation'.