Revellers facing months under lockdown-like restrictions from Thursday have hit the town for a final night out.
Ahead of New Year's Eve Matt Hancock announced that 20 million people would be plunged into Tier 4 from midnight on Wednesday.
A total of 44 million people, or 78% of the population of England, will be living under the country's toughest restrictions from Thursday as the whole of the UK battles a winter surge.
Only the Isles of Scilly will be in Tier 1 come Thursday morning, with no areas in Tier 2, so bars and pubs across the land will have to be closed to customers.
After Boris Johnson warned the restrictions could last until Easter, people braved the cold to squeeze in one final night out.
In Liverpool women donned their gladrags and soaked in a final night of Tier 2 freedom, seemingly immune to close to zero temperatures.
In Tyneside, which will be moved from Tier 3 to Tier 4 at midnight, groups of men wore woolly hats and gloves to enjoy a last takeaway pint.
Others in Tynemouth enjoyed a drink around a fire on the beach.
In normal times Thursday evening would be one of the biggest nights out of the year.
But due to the pandemic and soaring coronavirus infection rates, people have had to make the most of what some are calling New Tiers Eve.
The Government will be hoping that those who did hit the tiles this evening got it out of their system before Thursday.
At the Downing Street press conference earlier today Professor Stephen Powis said any plans to meet with those from other households should be postponed.
“Its absolutely vital that this year everybody continues to follow the guidance by staying at home and not mixing,” the national medical director of NHS England said.
“Covid loves a crowd so please leave the parties for later in the year.”
The prime minister, Boris Johnson, also instructed people to follow local restrictions and see in the new year at home.
“That means not meeting up with friends or family indoors, unless they are in the same household or support bubble, and avoiding large gatherings of any kind,” he said.
People who flout the rules and throw a party from New Years Eve onwards face a hefty £10,000 fine.
Martin Hewitt, chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said he was confident that the majority of people would respect the rules for their area
“Large gatherings and parties should not be happening,” he added.
“We ask anyone thinking of attending or organising one not to."
