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Downing Street says people who can’t find a test ‘can go out and party for NYE anyway’
‘The government is not telling people they should not go out’
Downing Street has reportedly told people to ‘go out and party for New Year’s Eve’ if they can’t get tested, though to ‘be cautious’ in doing so.
The Times has reported Boris Johnson as saying people should still go out and celebrate New Year’s Eve despite the national shortage of Covid tests and a record number of cases.
The newspaper quoted ‘a Number 10 source’ as saying ‘people could still go out if they failed to secure a test but should exercise caution’.
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The source said: “People should exercise caution, and testing is one of several mitigations. The government is not telling people they should not go out. It’s about personal responsibility. But of course people should get a test where possible.”
Yesterday, the Prime Minister urged people to continue getting tested ahead of their New Year celebrations, with him reiterating to reporters at a vaccination centre that the public should enjoy the event ‘in a cautious and sensible way’.
This comes just days after Boris Johnson announced there would be no more Covid restrictions implemented before the New Year.
According to reports by The Guardian, No 10 held a virtual briefing with England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty and the government’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance on December 27th, where it was concluded that data would continue to be reviewed but that no new steps would be taken before the new year.
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Health Secretary Sajid Javid said of the decision: “Of course we look at the data on a daily basis, that hasn’t changed over the Christmas period, but there will be no further measures before the New Year.
“We won’t be taking any further measures. Of course, people should remain cautious as we approach New Year’s celebrations, and you know, take a lateral flow test if that makes sense.
“Celebrate outside if you can, have some ventilation indoors if you can, please remain cautious.
“And when we get into the New Year, of course, we will see then whether we do need to take any further measures – but nothing more until then at least.”