Home but you’re not alone... nation heeds safety plea

BRITONS last night saw off a miserable 2020 and toasted a better year to come – all from the comfort of their living rooms.

In a New Year’s Eve like no other, the nation stayed at home in line with coronavirus safety rules.

More than half of Britons planned to celebrate New Year with loved ones online, with many aiming to join multiple video calls.

Many chose to dress up as though they were going out as party planners urged people to make the most of the night despite the stay at home order.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said the city was last night “on course to host the biggest stay at home NYE party in the world”.

Officials said more than 500,000 people had signed up for the United We Stream celebration, which streamed live music performances straight into people’s living rooms, by 3.30pm.

Party planner Mindy Weiss, who counts the Kardashian family among her A- list clients, suggested hosting a fancy dress party, digital disco or a virtual scavenger hunt to spice up the celebrations.

Vast numbers of people also chose to order takeaways, with many benefitting from free delivery.

Ministers, police chiefs and senior doctors had all begged people to stay at home and not mix with other households.

The Government had launched a See In The New Year Safely At Home campaign across radio and print media and on billboards as Covid cases reached a record high.

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England’s medical director, said: “It’s absolutely vital that this year everybody continues to follow the guidance by staying at home and not mixing.

“Covid loves a crowd, so please leave the parties for later in the year.”

London’s annual New Year’s Eve firework display over the River Thames was cancelled as public gatherings are banned.

But Big Ben, which has been largely silent since 2017 while its clocktower is restored, was set to sound 12 bongs at midnight.

Eerie pictures showed London’s iconic monuments fenced off to deter revellers from throwing illegal street parties.

Trafalgar Square and the Winston Churchill statue in Parliament were boarded up in the city.

For the first time in its history, Scotland’s flagship Hogmanay event moved online – where it was hosted by actor David Tennant.

Online revellers had a wealth of options. These included firework displays filmed in

Nina Southern, 86, celebrates in care home in Sheffield. Above, barriers around Trafalgar Square in London

London and comedy nights hosted by performers such as Romesh Ranganathan.

Romesh and Al Murray performed online for households in an event hosted by Just The Tonic Comedy Club.

TV chef Nigella Lawson tweeted a “crab mac and cheese” recipe for a “dinner that’s both a treat and a comfort”.

Composer Jean- Michel Jarre also performed a live stream gig for fans to enjoy.

And people dreaming of being in New York this new year were still able to watch the famous crystal- encrusted New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square.

A poll by YouGov before the celebrations kicked off found that 96 per cent of Britons intended to follow Covid rules last night.

Some 11 per cent of 18 to 24- year- olds said they would mix with different households.

Commander Paul Brogden, leading the Met Police’s anti- Covid operation, said: “We are still dealing with the stark reality of fighting a deadly virus.”