Most New Year’s Eve celebrations cancelled
MANY New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day plans have been cancelled in many cities and countries as a measure to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Morocco
All New Year’s Eve celebrations have been banned in Morocco. The Moroccan government said the ban includes parties and special events organised in hotels, restaurants and tourist establishments, reports Xinhua news agency. A curfew on New Year’s Eve will be implemented from midnight to 6am.
Delhi
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has put a ban on all gatherings until 2022.
“As per the DDMA order, all social, political, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious, and festival-related gatherings and congregations are completely prohibited in Delhi,” the DDMA order read.
London
According to edition.cnn.com, a planned New Year’s Eve event in London has been cancelled, the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, tweeted. “Due to the surge in Covid cases, we’ve taken the difficult decision to cancel our NYE event in Trafalgar Square,” said the tweet from Khan’s verified account. “The safety of all Londoners must come first.”
A statement attached to the tweet said the celebration had been expected to host 6 500 people in Trafalgar Square. Instead, a programme will be broadcast at midnight on BBC One, Khan said.
Rome
Edition.cnn.com reported that in Italy, Rome was among several cities that also cancelled festivities. The Campania region has banned feasts and alcohol consumption in public areas until January 1. Venice also cancelled its open-air concerts and New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Paris
Reuters has reported that Paris has cancelled planned fireworks as well as festivities on the Champs-Elysées avenue on New Year’s Eve in line with new government rules to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant, BFM TV reported.
Jean Castex, the French Prime Minister, said that major public parties and fireworks would be banned on and recommended that people – even if vaccinated – take a Covid-19 self-test before getting together for year-end parties.
Abu Dhabi
However, actor Atif Aslam, known for chartbusters like Woh Lamhe, Tera Hone Laga Hoon, will perform at the Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, for a New Year’s Eve concert.
Aslam said: “I am excited to perform at Yas Island. I have heard a lot about this state-of-the-art arena and can't wait to perform there and bring some euphoria to my audience.”