For the second year in a row, the pandemic has ensured that New Year's Eve will be different for many of us as we mark the end of 2021 and hope for better times in the year ahead.
Last year, the advancement of the vaccines offered real optimism that we would finally turn the corner on the virus that had swept in and dominated our lives throughout 2020.
As we know, the remarkable rollout of the vaccination programme ensured many of us were protected from the worst impact of Covid-19 although, sadly, we continued to see a significant number of deaths and serious illness.
The highly transmissable Delta variant exacted a heavy toll but the even more infectious Omicron variant, which emerged only a few short weeks ago, has swept the globe, causing record case numbers and leading to restrictions being re-introduced. It now accounts for around 90 per cent of cases in Northern Ireland.
On the positive side, so far Omicron does not appear to cause severe illness and the rapidly-expanded booster rollout has clearly helped to protect many people although the sheer numbers involved present a major problem for the health service.
Yesterday, the Stormont Executive decided that no further restrictions would be imposed in Northern Ireland at this stage but an important change was made to the self-isolation period for the infected, down from ten days to seven subject to negative lateral flow tests on days six and seven.
This will hopefully ease some of the pressure on crucial services that are trying to cope with high levels of staff absence.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill has urged people to follow public health advice to minimise the spread of the virus, including limiting contacts and taking a lateral flow test before meeting up with people.
Hospitality venues will have restrictions in place to safeguard staff and customers but there will be considerable concern regarding New Year's Eve house parties which have the potential to greatly increase the number of cases.
All of us would wish to be starting 2022 in a more positive position but we have to deal with the realities of this pandemic.
Covid will be with us for some time to come and we must continue to take the steps that protect ourselves and each other and hope that next year will be better for all.
