COVID-related tighter restrictions mute New Year’s Eve celebrations
A year that began with a race to get vaccinated has ended with reluctant Europeans taking to the streets to vent their anger over a possible mandate to get jabbed, while dozens of countries are still short of doses
NEW YORK: The last day of the year on Friday heralded muted celebrations in some countries due to COVID-related restrictions, while other nations are still pressing ahead with festivities such as fireworks and gatherings.
A year that began with a race to get vaccinated has ended with reluctant Europeans taking to the streets to vent their anger over a possible mandate to get jabbed, while dozens of countries are still short of doses.
In some parts of the world, the festivities are going ahead as normal, whereas others have added restrictions, such as a ban on large gatherings and no fireworks, and
some countries have even introduced curfews aimed at preventing large gatherings at midnight.
Thousands of flights were canceled worldwide on Friday, with airlines blaming the disruption on crew shortages amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Here’s a roundup of how the world is marking New Year’s Eve
Americas
New York City has heralded in 2022 as it revived the city’s annual event in Times Square,
even as public health officials cautioned Friday against unbridled celebrations amid a surge in COVID infections.
The annual ball drop took place as the clock struck midnight. The occasion, usually commemorated with joyous embraces and the uncorking of champagne bottles, was marked with confetti and a limited crowd.
The US’ most populous city this year restricted the number of people into Times Square to witness the 6-ton ball encrusted with crystals descend from overhead to just
15,000 people. The number of spectators is far fewer than the many tens of thousands of revelers who usually congregate on the worldfamous square for the occasion.
New York City’s incoming mayor, Eric Adams, took his oath in Times Square soon after the ball drop.
“It’s just great when New York shows the entire country how we come back,’’ he said. “We showed the entire globe what we’re made of. We’re unbelievable. This is an unbelievable city and, trust me, we’re ready for a major comeback
because this is New York.’’
New York City reported a record number of new, confirmed cases, almost 44,000, on Wednesday and a similar number Thursday, according to New York state figures.
In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Copacabana beach welcomed a small crowd of a few thousand for 16 minutes of fireworks. This year saw no live concerts like in previous editions.
Copacabana’s New Year’s celebrations usually draws more than two million party goers.
Oceania
The continent of Oceania was the first to usher in the new year.
At 11 a.m. GMT (1200 CET), the Pacific island nations of Tonga and Samoa, along with New Zealand, entered into 2022.
The Australian city of Sydney, the customary fireworks display at the Harbor Bridge and Opera House went ahead as planned two hours later.
Despite a surge in coronavirus cases, queues began forming at vantage points around the harbor early Friday in the morning for spectators to get a good view. Vaccination and the use of masks will not be mandatory to attend, organizers said.
Asia
Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Bangkok have all welcomed in the new year 2022.
President of China Xi Jinping in a New Year’s address called on his nation to maintain a “strategic focus” and be mindful of “potential risks” to the Communist Party’s long-term goal of transforming China into a global superpower. Xi also said China had achieved an important step on the way in building a “moderately prosperous” society.
Europe
In Madrid’s Puerta del Sol about 7,000 people, half the usual capacity, welcomed the new year by eating grapes, one for each time the clock chimed up to 12.
In western Germany, a 37-yearold man was killed and a 39-yearold man was seriously injured in a fireworks accident during New Year’s celebrations in the Hüchel district of Hennef.