The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, India and Australia are among the many countries where New Year’s celebrations this year will be a muted affair.
Millions are under lockdown and face stringent restrictions on day-to-day activities as the government fights to keep health care systems at the bottom until newly approved vaccines are introduced.
Australia In Australia, traditional fireworks displays lit up the sky over the Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge.
The New South Wales government said the demonstration was shorter than usual and gatherings at the port were banned until they were at hospitality venues, the New South Wales government said.
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berezkilia apologized for the ban on Monday but said they were needed to prevent a potential super-spread incident. “On New Year’s Eve, we don’t want any crowds on the shores around Sydney,” Berejikalia said.
A large crowd on Sydney’s Bronte Beach on Christmas Day, breaking local anti-Covid-19 rules, caused havoc as authorities cut off clusters of infections in the city’s northern coastal area.
Meanwhile, hours before the start of New Year’s Eve celebrations, neighboring state Victoria issued new coronavirus bans. Gatherings of more than 15 people are no longer allowed and masks indoors are mandatory.
Three locally transmitted Covid-19 cases were reported in Victoria on Thursday morning, breaking the zero1-day length of locally transmitted. There are currently 10 active cases in the state, according to Victoria’s Department of Health.
New Zealand’s widely envied success in eradicating coronavirus infection means that New Year’s Eve can be celebrated more or less as usual. Fireworks lit up the night sky above Akeland as the city welcomed the new year.
New Year celebrations were banned in some major Indian cities. Authorities in Delhi restricted public attendance to five and imposed an overnight curfew on New Year’s Day between 11pm on December 31.
Sanctions have also been imposed in Mumbai and Bengaluru. Mumbai Police spokesperson S. Chaitanya, “After 11 pm, any parties – be they in restaurants, bars, pubs, beaches or on the roof will be allowed … and we will monitor all this by drone,” Mumbai Police spokesperson S.K. Chaitanya, told local media.
The rate of coronavirus infection in India has been steadily declining since October. A total of 10.26 million cases have been reported in the country, in which more than 148,000 people have died.
‘Leave the parties until later’
In Europe, where there has been a sharp rise in cases in recent months, the festival of the year is generally banned in many countries.
UK Prime Minister Boris Jones urged people to “watch the new year safely” at a Downing Street press briefing on Wednesday, as he said there had been a 40% increase in cases in England over the past week.
The UK reported 981 coronavirus deaths – its highest since April – and 50,023 new cases on Wednesday, with government figures showing a melee due to the rapid spread of new, more contagious coronavirus variants in the country.
“Covid prefers a crowd so please leave the parties later,” said Stephen Powys, National Medical Director of NHS England, as he also urged people to stay home on New Year’s Eve.
As of Thursday, more than three-quarters of the English population now lives under the country’s strictest “Tier 4” ban, requiring people to stay at home except for work, education, exercise or essential activities. It is not allowed to mix any house inside the house, while outside, one person from each house can meet only one person from another house.
London’s Metropolitan Police Service warned potential party-goers to “celebrate the New Year in the comfort of their own home, not in the homes of family and friends.”
Ireland’s situation ‘extremely serious’
The Prime Minister of Ireland, or Taosic, Michelle Martin, announces a full national lockdown on Wednesday for “at least” a month. The move comes after new, more viral strains of coronavirus, first found in the UK, were confirmed to be in Ireland, he said, adding that there had been a 61% increase in confirmed coronavirus cases in the previous week.
The bans, which take effect on Thursday, include bans on home visits and the closure of non-essential shops. Schools will be closed until January 11. No social or family gatherings are allowed in any setting, with the exception of very small wedding and funeral groups.
Martin called the situation “extremely serious.”
In France, a strict curfew is in place from 8pm to 6am to curb the rising coronavirus infection by reducing New Year’s celebrations in public across the country.
Health Minister Iv Levier Warne warned on Tuesday that an earlier curfew could be adopted in areas where the virus has spread the fastest in the country since January 2. The affected 20 or more “divisions” do not include Paris.
Under government guidelines, gatherings are limited to six adults, although a number of children may attend. Except for the restaurant, restaurants and cafes are closed, although shops, including non-essential shops, are open. Cinemas, museums and theaters are all closed.
There are also strict restrictions throughout Germany to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Fear of ‘Super Spreader Events’
South Africa also faces less time than New Year’s festivities. President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday announced tougher sanctions because of a new coronavirus infection that he described as “unprecedented”.
Under strict rules, which run until mid-January, all indoor and outdoor gatherings are banned, the nationwide curfew is extended from 9pm to 6pm and the sale of alcohol is banned. Wearing a mask was also a legal requirement.
The move comes after the discovery of a new Covid-19 variant in South Africa and an increase in cases during the festive season. Ramaphosa said more than 50,000 new cases have been reported since Christmas Eve.
The rapid growth in infection is being fueled by so-called super-spreader events, including year-end functions, family and social gatherings, and music and cultural events, Ramaphosa said.
Some leaders have also called for caution in the United States as coronavirus cases are on the rise in many parts of the country.
No crowds will be allowed to enter New York City’s Times Square this year to celebrate the famous “ball drop”, which is usually watched by thousands of spectators.
Terrence A., head of the New York Police Department. The Times Square event on New Year’s Eve “will look completely different than any other time in history,” Monah said Wednesday.
“We can all agree that 2020 has been a year that is the opposite of what we have experienced,” he said, urging people to stay home with one family. “Don’t come,” he said. “If you think you can stand there and watch the ball, you’re mistaken.”
Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak on Wednesday urged people to “reconsider” going to celebrate the new anniversary to slow the spread of Covid-19 in the state.
“It’s not lost on me that in the new year Las Vegas is known as one of the best places in the world. But this year we should look different,” Sisolak said during a news briefing.
“I know people want to celebrate the end of 2020, and I don’t blame them. But if we don’t start making smart choices in early 2021, we’ll see more of 2020 and experience more than anyone. Wants. “
CNN’s Sarah Dean, Swati Gupta, Gisela Crespo, Pauline L. Cowd and Ben Westcott contributed to the report.
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