Scots welcome 2022 Hogmanay cut amid surge in coronavirus cases

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Scots have welcomed a miniature New Year with silent Hogmanay celebrations amid a wave of coronavirus restrictions.

The country enters 2022 as the fight against Covid-19 continues – and the new Omicron variant has caused huge numbers of hospital admissions in Scotland.

As with last year’s festivities this year, many restrictions have been imposed here – with Scots urged to stay at home and only host small gatherings.

Large-scale gatherings in major Scottish cities with crowds at public outdoor events of a maximum of 500 people have been canceled since Boxing Day, for at least three weeks, and numbers at indoor public events are limited to 100 standing or 200 seats.

Arthur Grace and Linsey Gray, of Fife, take a selfie in Calton Hill in Edinburgh before the bells on New Year’s Eve (Photo: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) Read more related articles

Scottish heads of government this month announced an order for nightclubs to close and pubs to offer table service only in a bid to tackle the growing Omicron issues.

But there are still parties held in countless homes and licensed venues across the country.

Pictures on social media showed many Scots enjoying the festivities in homes and pubs while a large fireworks display was held over Stirling.

Caitlin Scott of Glasgow and Harry McCauley of Aberdeen pose on Princes Street in Edinburgh with balloons they bought for a New Year’s Eve party (Photo: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) Read more related articles

The show over Stirling Castle and the Wallace Memorial was televised across Scotland on BBC to the tunes of Old Lang Scene.

But the traditional party district of central Edinburgh has been so quiet, pictures have surfaced near deserted Princes Street – although some strong spirits still make it up.

A picture of a nearly deserted Princes Street in Edinburgh as the clock ticks past midnight (Photo: AFP via Getty Images) Read more related articles

Many Scots have reportedly crossed the border into England – where there are fewer restrictions – to welcome the New Year with fanfare.

Prime Minister Boris Johnston has not spoken out against party-goers who travel from the south to celebrate, instead telling visitors to “enjoy the New Year but in a cautious and sensible way”.

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Police Scotland confirmed it was not in conflict with the rules for travel to England, adding that there were no plans to set up roadblocks or border checks.

As Scotland’s Deputy First Minister John Sweeney told New Year’s revelers planning to travel to England amid more relaxed Covid restrictions, this would be a “wrong course of action”.

Mr Sweeney said that while there was nothing to stop party-goers from heading south of the border, where nightclubs remain open, their celebrations at Hogmanay, would go against the “spirit” of regulations set by the Scottish government.

Explaining the latest guidance, Ms Sturgeon said: “During Hogmanay and New Years Day, and at least in the first week of January, we advise everyone to stay home more than usual, to reduce contacts with people outside our homes, and to limit the volume of Any indoor social gatherings that are made so as not to include people from more than three households.”

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Today, 11,962 more cases of coronavirus have been reported in Scotland – where the disease has claimed 13 more lives.

The latest figures released by the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland show there are 859 Covid patients in Scottish hospitals, 49 more than yesterday.

There are currently 36 people with the disease being treated in intensive care units.

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