Crowds are expected to hit the town tonight for Mad Friday - the most popular night in the year for festive celebrations.
It comes a day after 88,376 new coronavirus cases were reported in the UK, the highest number since the start of the pandemic.
Clubgoers that end up in hospital from excessive drinking will be 'letting down the NHS and the rest of the country.'
That's the clear message from a Manchester councillor ahead of the celebrations this evening.
Cllr Pat Karney, spokesperson for the city centre, said that everyone enjoying a night out on the town has to remain cautious.
He added that people need to 'be their own public health service' in the fight against Omicron.
He said: "For young people, Mad Friday is a big night out in the city, but people need to take into account that they will then probably be seeing family and older family members over Christmas.
"People will have a great time but must bear in mind who they will be spending time with over Christmas.
"This is a difficult time for us all - we are all confused by the guidance but we need to be our own Public Health Service and look after ourselves and follow the guidance as best we can."
As of Wednesday, December 15, revellers visiting nightclubs or other large late night venues were told they would need to show their Covid pass or evidence of a negative lateral flow test.
Manchester nightlife bosses previously hit out at the measures calling them 'devastating' to the sector.
Cllr Pat Karney said that although the passes are 'bound to cause problems', it is worth it to 'protect the health of the country'.
He added: "It is down to a personal choice - but many people would be more comfortable going into nightclubs, which are congested spaces, knowing everyone else has had their jabs.
"We do not live in normal times anymore. We have a health crisis on our doorsteps and everything we are used to has been turned upside down.
"We have to bite on this and wait it out until we get over it. It will be difficult but people need to be patient.
"It is worth it to protect the health of the country."
And when asked about drunk people landing in the care of nurses and doctors in hospital this weekend, Cllr Karney said: "Anyone who ends up in hospital from being blind drunk or excessive drinking will be letting down the NHS and the rest of the country.
"We need to do all we can to protect our doctors and nurses working around the clock."
He also added that to try and avoid this, the council will ask bars and nightclubs to stop serving people who have 'clearly had too much to drink'.
That same message was today echoed by the Deputy Leader of Manchester Care Commissioning, Joanna Midgley.
She said: "In normal times people would be heading into this weekend full of excitement, ready to begin the Christmas week celebrations.
"However for the past two Christmases people have been faced with the reality of Covid-19, and the restrictions it brings to our day to day lives.
"This week we have been 100 per cent focused on the delivery of the booster programme, with more than 13,000 people coming forward in the first three days of the effort alone.
"If people are heading out to events this weekend I'd urge them to carry out lateral flow tests before attending to rule out the risk they could be carrying Covid-19.
"This isn't just about protecting our friends and loved once over the festive period, but doing everything in our power to relieve stress on the NHS and ensure that our amazing doctors, nurses and health professionals can continue carrying out their life-saving work."
The North West Ambulance Service has urged a simple message to revellers: "Try to avoid needing us."
They also anticipate the weekend to be 'much busier than 2020'.
NWAS Director of Operations Ged Blezard said: “We have already experienced a very challenging year with more people calling 999 than ever and our staff have been working exceptionally hard.
"However, the festive period traditionally brings with it an increase in a certain type of 999 call as people can get carried away while celebrating the time of year.
“While we want people to enjoy themselves, we want to use this opportunity to ask the public not to add any unnecessary extra burden on the service by behaving irresponsibly or treating our staff with disrespect if they are called to help.
"This includes not drinking to excess and increasing the risk of hurting yourself.
“Remember, 999 is for life-threatening incidents and emergencies only."
Greater Manchester Police also confirmed the force will be continuing their high visibility patrols across the city this weekend.
"We expect people to drink and act responsibly while enjoying their night - remembering to plan their journeys home in advance and not to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol above the legal limit," said a spokesperson.
"As ever we'll have a number of high-visibility patrols to engage and support anyone that needs our assistance throughout Friday night and over the weekend.
"We will do all we can to ensure people have a good time in our towns and cities and, importantly, stay safe."
