People have been heading out for one last night before new month-long nationwide lockdown restrictions go into force in England at 00:01 on Thursday.
Many restaurants are fully booked this evening, while long queues have been seen outside some pubs. During the day, high streets were also busier than usual in some areas, with people browsing and buying from non-essential shops for the last time until December.
MPs in the House of Commons voted on Wednesday to support the new Coronavirus lockdown measures by 516 to 38 votes, a majority of 478. However, a total number of 34 Conservative MPs opposed the plans and 21 Conservative MPs abstained in the vote.
Despite winning the vote, the Prime Minister may be concerned that a significant number of MPs did not support his plans. Among those voting against the plans were Sir Graham Brady, who told MPs the lockdown “was not necessary now” and described the legislation as “cruel” in parts.
The new lockdown measures, which were announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday come as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow at a rapid rate throughout the country.
The UK recently surpassed 1 million recorded cases of the virus. On Wednesday, it was announced that a further 25,177 people had tested positive for COVID-19, while another 492 people have died after contracting the virus.
During the lockdown, pubs, bars, restaurants and non-essential shops will be forced to close across England until 2 December. People will also be instructed to stay at home except for a limited number of reasons, such as for essential shopping, education or work (that cannot take place from home).
