From MSN/CNN:
“Cities canceling their big
New Year's Eve events around the world”
For awhile there, it appeared we
might be able to ring in New Year's Eve in major cities across the planet with
something resembling the huge celebrations of yore. Another Covid-19 surge and
the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus have dashed
those hopes -- at least in some part of the world. In New York City, the New
Year's Eve celebration in Times Square will be "scaled back," with
fewer revelers and everyone required to wear a mask, Mayor Bill de Blasio's
office said last week. But some major cities in Europe, where the spread of
Omicron has been startling, have already announced they're flat-out canceling
plans. Other cities around the world with traditionally iconic celebrations
still plan to host their events but with safety precautions in place. On
Wednesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci repeated his warning that people should avoid
large New Year's Eve gatherings and stick with small gatherings of vaccinated
family or close friends. Fauci is director of the National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases and President Joe Biden's top medical adviser. As of 5
p.m. ET December 29, this what some of the world cities with traditionally huge
New Year's Eve events were doing.
Canceled events The
following cities (or nations) have already announced they're canceling their
big shindigs:
ATHENS No fireworks show
over the Acropolis this year. Health Minister Thanos Plevris said during a news
briefing on Thursday, December 23, that all public Christmas and New Year celebrations
planned by municipalities are canceled. All travelers arriving in Greece
will be strongly advised to take Covid-19 tests on the second and fourth days
after their arrival, on top of the existing requirement to provide a negative
test result to enter Greece. Starting at 6 a.m. Thursday, December 24,
masks will become mandatory again in both indoor and outdoor spaces. For
supermarkets and public transport, a double mask or a high protection mask will
be required. The measures will last until January 3, when according to
Plevris, more restrictions might be put forward concerning sport and
entertainment venues.
ATLANTA Georgia's capital
city is canceling the New Year's Eve Peach Drop at Underground Atlanta because
of the rising number of Covid-19 cases, according to a tweet from Underground
Atlanta. "While we are saddened to miss this year's party and
musical acts, we are very excited to bring the Peach Drop back next year and
better than ever. Stay healthy everyone!," the tweet reads.
BERLIN Germany will impose
strict contact restrictions to curb the spread of Covid starting on December 28
and prohibit New Year's Eve gatherings, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced
on Tuesday, December 21. That means no big fireworks gathering in
Berlin, the capital, nor in other big gathering spots such as Munich and
Frankfurt. From December 28, a maximum of 10 people will be allowed to
meet in groups, regardless of whether they are vaccinated or recovered, Scholz
said. Children 13 and younger are exempt from the new contact restrictions.
EDINBURGH Public New
Year's Eve celebrations in Scotland will be canceled, Scottish First Minister
Nicola Sturgeon said on Tuesday, December 21. In a statement, Sturgeon
explained details for post-Christmas restrictions on large events to blunt the
spread of Omicron. Sturgeon said the move will "also mean
unfortunately that large-scale Hogmanay celebrations -- including that planned
here in our capital city -- will not proceed. I know how disappointing this
will be for those looking forward to these events."
LONDON A planned New
Year's Eve event in London has been canceled over Covid concerns, Mayor of
London Sadiq Khan tweeted on Monday, December 20. "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 program will be broadcast at midnight on
BBC One, Khan said.
NEW DELHI The government
of India's union territory of Delhi, which encompasses the national capital of
New Delhi, has announced a ban on all social, cultural, political and festival
gatherings until further notice because of a rise in Covid-19 cases, CNN's New
Delhi Bureau reports. All officials "shall ensure that no cultural
events/gatherings/congregations take place for celebrating Christmas or New
Year" in the region, according to the Delhi government's order. Bars
and restaurants will be allowed to operate at only 50% capacity.
PARIS Paris has canceled
its traditional fireworks display over the Champs-Elysées Avenue to welcome the
New Year because of the renewed coronavirus surge. "The fireworks
will not take place, nor unfortunately will there be any DJ sets," the
mayor's office told AFP in a report on France24.com. French Prime
Minister Jean Castex said on Friday, December 17, that major public parties and
fireworks would be banned on New Year's Eve and recommended that even
vaccinated people take a self-test before getting together for year-end
parties, according to Reuters.
ROME In Italy, Rome is
among several cities that have decided to cancel festivities over Covid health
concerns. Large New Year's Eve celebrations across the country have been
canceled, including open air concerts and fireworks in Venice. Nightclubs will
be closed for the month of January as well. The Campania region has also
banned feasts and alcohol consumption in public areas from December 23 to
January 1.
Events still scheduled
Not
all the world's cities have called off their celebrations. Here are some of the
cities traditionally renowned for their exceptional fireworks and big New
Year's Eve events that were still moving forward with their plans as of 5 p.m.
ET December 29. Click the links to get details, including pandemic safety
measures:
BANGKOK Thailand's capital
will hold its celebrations, but with some some safety caveats. According to the
Bangkok Post, only open-air venues are allowed. Attendees must be fully
vaccinated, tested within 72 hours and registered to attend.
CAPE TOWN South Africa's beautiful
seaside city is still allowing NYE events for its residents, according to its
tourism website, but with lots of safety checks in place. Those include early
venue closings and strict curfews. Find more details of South Africa's safety
measures here.
DUBAI The pyrotechnics at
the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, are still planned, according to
VisitDubai.com. The emirate is requiring visitors who want to be at the
celebration to register using the U by Emaar app to receive individual QR codes
that will allow access.
LAS VEGAS America's
gambling magnet still plans to launch fireworks from the top of eight
hotel-casinos on the Strip for eight minutes, according to the Las Vegas Review
Journal. A downtown Las Vegas fireworks show will also be held.
RIO DE JANEIRO After
canceling its New Year's Eve celebrations earlier this month, Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil's party capital, reversed course this week. "We want to
celebrate the end of the year in a calm, safe and organized manner. We met with
the Scientific Committee, which confirmed that it would be safe to hold the
city's New Year's celebrations under the provisions presented by the city
government," Mayor Eduardo Paes said. Revelers are encouraged to
stay close to their homes to "avoid unnecessary travel."
SYDNEY Sydney's famous New
Year's Eve fireworks display is set to continue despite a mounting daily
Covid-19 caseload in Australia's largest city. A total of 11,201 new cases were
announced on Wednesday in the state of New South Wales, almost twice the tally
of 6,062 from the previous day. Speaking to reporters Wednesday, the
organizer of the fireworks display said Covid-19 safety measures would be
maintained in public spaces around Sydney Harbour. "We have six
vantage points that are all in outdoor parks, but we are operating those on a
one person per two square meters basis," Stephen Gilby, executive producer
of New Year's Eve celebrations, said.
TAIPEI The largest city on
the island of Taiwan plans on holding its annual countdown show and fireworks
at the towering Taipei 101 skyscraper, according to the Taipei Times, Taiwan
Scene and other local media.
Watch from home Admittedly,
it's not the same as watching fireworks and big shows in person, but you can
catch all the action from the comfort -- and safety -- of a crowd-controlled
home. CNN'S New Year's Eve Live show will stream live for subscribers
via CNNgo (CNN.com/go and via CNNgo apps for Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire,
Chromecast, Samsung Smart TV and Android TV) and on CNN mobile apps for iOS and
Android. The special will be available on demand via cable/satellite systems,
CNNgo platforms and CNN mobile apps.
^ As I have for many years now I
will watch the Ball Drop from Times Square on TV. ^
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