Shocking scenes of mass gatherings in Liverpool city centre last night prompted more criticism of the 10pm closing time in new lockdown restrictions.
One video showed an impromptu crowd chanting and partying at the top of Church Street and Hanover Street, while other photos showed groups gathering outside off-licences to stock up on booze instead of heading home once bars and restaurants closed
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson took to social media to say: "A picture speaks a thousand words, and these three pictures of last night in Liverpool show why the 10.00pm closure of pubs and restaurants is simply making things worse not better.
"This was repeated right across the UK."
This was the first weekend in which the new 10pm curfew was in operation under tighter lockdown restrictions amid growing evidence of a "second wave" of coronavirus cases.
It meant bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants were required by law to close between 10pm and 5am.
Both the Government and the people on the streets were criticised on social media and the Echo's comments system.
* What did you make of last night's scenes? Tell us in the comments
Rachael5788 said: "Lost my dad to Covid in April. He was 62. I've now just been made redundant. The longer this goes the worse things are going to get for everyone and people acting like this is only going to prolong it. This is heartbreaking tbh."
SirPercivalGlyde37 said: "So predictable these scenes and they symbolise perfectly the idiocy of the curfew: how not to facilitate social distancing.
"And trying to get students, supposedly tomorrow's intelligent elite, to not crowd in loud drunken groups, is like trying to herd cats. Shame the government can't manipulate weather so it rains heavily over every city centre at weekends, that would dampen things down a bit."
The Broadway brawler said: "This was the government's warning shot, measures which are manageable and which they would consider cause fairly minimal financial impact.
"However, they know full well as most people do by now, the only real solution is another hard lockdown, they are likely just stalling while they prepare to introduce it."
Gaz1878 said: "All that’s going to happen is bars will close completely."
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Wetkneehouston said: "I can't see another full lockdown happening, the whole situation is a double edged sword.
"Have a full lockdown and people lose their livelihoods, don't have a full lockdown and spread the virus.
"The Tories need to give everyone more guidance and be a lot better prioritising."
Phil73 said: "Full lock down on its way thanks to these idiots...."
joph said: "They are all going to be ramming on trains, buses, taxis, chippys, maccies, offys then back to apartments, hotels and kitchen parties everywhere till early hours."
