THESE were the bleak scenes after a Welsh Winter Wonderland was closed suddenly following new Covid restrictions brought in.
Men were seen packing away lights and wrapping away rides before Christmas Day had even arrived at the Cardiff fair.
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Tape and metal fences now surround the Winter Wonderland before Christmas Day had arrived Credit: Getty 7
A man rolls up lights from the reindeer stands Credit: Getty 7
The rides and stalls are all now locked away looking bleak for onlookers Credit: Getty 7
A Santa Claus ride is prematurely wrapped away for another year Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Wales was forced to bid a premature farewell to Christmas festivities following new measures which saw the nation limited to holding events outside.
A total of 30 people are allowed at indoor events while 50 people will be permitted at outdoor events.
A maximum of six people are now allowed to meet in pubs, cinemas and restaurants.
And a two-metre social distancing is required in public premises and offices, and nightclubs will close.
The measures, announced by the Welsh Government, were introduced at 6am on Boxing Day as part of efforts to tackle the new Omicron variant.
A string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other strains, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.
Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.
The Sun's Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits' arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.
Following the announcement, the Winter Wonderland, which included amusements and ice rinks along with an Ice Bar, closed early at 8pm on Christmas Eve.
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The popular Christmas at Bute Park light trail was also shut early, which was originally due to run throughout the festive period until January 3 but instead shut on Boxing Day.
Since the news of the rules, bars and restaurants in the Welsh capital have remained open but are reported virtually empty.
The cancellations come as Omicron appears to be more entrenched in the Welsh capital than any other part of Wales, with 18 areas reporting rates of more than 1,000 cases per 100,000 people.
In Scotland, restrictions began on Boxing Day too with indoor events limited to 100 people standing or 200 people sitting, and outdoor events are capped at 500.
From December 27, gatherings have been limited to three households as well as one-metre social distancing will be enforced.
Table service is also now required in venues that serve alcohol.
But Boris Johnson announced that he was staving off any new restrictions for the New Year in England.
Health minister Sajid Javid stressed that Brits should "remain cautious", take a lateral flow and celebrate outside or in a well-ventilated room - as he urged everyone to get their jabs if they can.
But while he confirmed there will be no new rules for England on Monday, that does not rule out country-wide "guidance" which cannot be enforced by cops.
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A worker begins to pack away a giant entrance wreath which sadly won't welcome any more revellers for another year Credit: Getty 7
Rides are wrapped away in protective packaging Credit: Getty 7
The Winter Wonderland now looks bleak and lifeless Credit: Getty
New Covid restrictions come into place in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland