that s right, there is a real sense of deja vu as we turn into 2022, covid still dominating the headlines. a huge concern for the government here at westminster. they will be gathering on wednesday to review the current restrictions in england. more liberal as they are compared with scotland, wales and northern ireland. quite striking in that context that the health secretary, sajid javid, has written a piece in the daily mail saying that imposing new restrictions would be his absolute last priority, the last thing he would want to do as far as england is concerned. that is to restate existing government policy as far as the rules of england are concerned, but it is worth mentioning because given the rising number of cases, the expected increase in the number of people ending up in hospital, the health secretary talks about that in his article. it gives you some sense about how the government is approaching the pandemic as we tilt into 2022. . ~ , approaching the pandemic as we tilt in
200 people here in times square, last year there were health workers and frontline workers and this year it was about 15,000, capped at 15,000. a grim statistic right now is that is 10,000 fewer people than a testing positive every day right now here for coronavirus due to this 0micron variant. it was a festive crowd. people came from different parts of the world as they always do. i spoke to someone from south london, from argentina, brazil, colombia and japan. people told me they were still joyous to colombia and japan. people told me they were stilljoyous to be here despite covid. they had to be vaccinated. we saw the new mayor of new york city be sworn in after midnight starting a new era in new york as well after eight years of build the blowsy oh we who many are ready to see leave. they are ready to see the pandemic subside in new york come back to life. but it did come back to life a little bit. we saw the fireworks confetti and that
were quiet early on new year s eve. this bar was able to celebrate at midnight, but there is frustration across the hospitality industry about the lack of support and the different restrictions. i know at least 70% to 80% of the people that i am associated with have crossed the borders to go and celebrate new year s eve, because they re confident this is going to be their last night out before we go back into some kind of lockdown. # should auld acquaintance be forgot.# scotland s main hogmanay celebrations were cancelled, with nightclubs closed. but not everyone stayed at home, and there was still a fireworks spectacular. 2021 has been tough for so many people, but record covid case numbers aren t being matched by hospitalisations or deaths
have been reminded of wonderful moments that we have shared with the arch and been able to spend time just reflecting on the amazing gift of his life to this country and to the world. it has been an extraordinary week. professor becker, extraordinary week. professor becker. i extraordinary week. professor becker, i know extraordinary week. professor becker, i know you extraordinary week. professor becker, i know you will- extraordinary week. professor becker, i know you will be i extraordinary week. professor - becker, i know you will be attending the funeral today. 0nly becker, i know you will be attending the funeral today. only about 100 people are able to go, for covid reasons, so it must be a great honour for you to be able to be there. , . , , ., there. yes, i am representing our organisation- there. yes, i am representing our organisation. it there. yes, i am representing our organisation. it is there. yes, i am representing our organisation. it is quite there. yes
night and their new year. scotland s main hogmanay night and their new year. scotland s main hogmanay celebrations - night and their new year. scotland s main hogmanay celebrations were i main hogmanay celebrations were cancelled, with nightclubs closed, but not everyone stayed at home. and there was still a fireworks spectacular. 2021 has been tough for so many people, but record covid case numbers are not being matched ijy case numbers are not being matched by hospitalisations or deaths, hopeful signs when managing the virus that still dominates life at the start of 2022. let s ta ke let s take a look at london s new year s day parade today. 0ur reporter matt graveling is there for us this morning. it must feel quite mild at this time of the morning. it must feel quite mild at this time of the mornin:. ,., ., ., ., of the morning. good morning, roger. ha - new of the morning. good morning, roger. happy new year- of the morning. good morning, roger. happy new year- i of the morn