Party for 6,500 people in London’s Trafalgar Square on NYE axed by Mayor Sadiq Khan over Omicron fears

A PARTY for 6,500 people in London’s Trafalgar Square on New Year’s Eve has been AXED by Mayor Sadiq Khan over Omicron fears. The celebration – which was set to include live music, stage performers and food stalls – replaced London’s traditional riverside fireworks after the popular event was cancelled in October. But, as the […]

A PARTY for 6,500 people in London’s Trafalgar Square on New Year’s Eve has been AXED by Mayor Sadiq Khan over Omicron fears.

The celebration – which was set to include live music, stage performers and food stalls – replaced London’s traditional riverside fireworks after the popular event was cancelled in October.

i-Images

The planned event for 6,500 people in Trafalgar Square has been cancelled, London celebrations in 2019 pictured[/caption]

But, as the Omicron variant of coronavirus continues to ravage the country, the Mayor has now scrapped this party too in a bid to “reduce the spread of the virus”.

A further 8,044 people tested positive for the Omicron variant today, and 12 people died after contracting the strain.

The UK’s total Covid case load soared past the 90,000 mark again on Monday.

Mr Khan said: “With infections of COVID-19 at record levels across our city and the UK, I’m determined to work closely with partners in our city to do everything we possibly can to slow the spread of the new variant and ensure our NHS services are not overwhelmed this winter.

“This means that we will no longer be hosting a celebration event for 6,500 people on Trafalgar Square this New Year’s Eve.

“This will be very disappointing for many Londoners, but we must take the right steps to reduce the spread of the virus.”

The Mayor last week declared a major incident in the capital due to the rising cases and the impact on frontline services.

Top docs this afternoon presented the Cabinet with sobering statistics about Omicron’s spread – as it risks swamping hospitals.

Following the meeting, Boris Johnson warned that the “explosion” of the variant was a wake-up call for Brits to get their booster jabs NOW.

Volunteers are signing up in droves to help out the campaign effort including the heroic recruits of The Sun’s Jabs Army.

Mr Khan added: “Our world-renowned retail, hospitality, tourism, nightlife and cultural businesses are already suffering from the impact of the latest wave of COVID cases during what is usually their busiest time of the year.

“I continue to urge the Chancellor to step up with a package of support to help businesses through this difficult time and to ensure they will be able to survive and help drive our economy forward again next year.”

Businesses are begging the PM not to tighten the rules in their crucial Christmas period for a second year running.

One fearful shop owner earlier said on LBC he was “trembling” at the prospect of another golden trading period going to the wall.

But the PM is being pulled the other way by gloomy scientists and politicians demanding a toughening of rules.

Leaked SAGE minutes warned that “more stringent measures would need to be implemented very soon”.

PA

London’s traditional fireworks event, pictured last year, was cancelled in October[/caption]