The countdown to the end of the year has begun. Christmas lights have been switched on around the country and people are hopefully preparing for a better December than last year. For the vaccinated, the doors of pubs, restaurants and night clubs are open.
For those who have not yet opted to get jabbed, it's too late for Christmas as they will not be fully immunised in time, unless they can avail of a single dose vaccine - or have immunity because they caught the virus. Here are five key factors that will now determine the end of 2021 has in store for us: 1) Case numbers There is currently no sign of coronavirus case numbers declining.