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The change of years was welcomed across the globe with limited celebrations due to the pandemic.
As various countries reported record numbers of coronavirus outbreaks, fireworks displays and colorful lights welcomed 2022 from New York to New Zealand. To see up close the traditional sphere landing in New York’s famous Times Square, only fully vaccinated persons were allowed.
New Year celebrations are back in Times Square in New York. A year ago, the celebrations took place only virtually due to the pandemic. The reduction of the famous sphere was attended by 15 thousand vaccinated spectators who were allowed within the designated area, with rules such as wearing masks and observing physical distance.
People in New Zealand were among the first in the world to celebrate the arrival of 2022 with a light show in Auckland.
Sydney opened the new year with a dazzling fireworks display. New Year’s Eve Australia recorded the highest daily number of coronavirus infections since the onset of the pandemic.
Dubai celebrated the new year with the usual display of fireworks in the heart of the city. The city remains open to tourists, but authorities require that most visitors provide evidence of a negative COVID test, as well as take another test at the airport.
Russia celebrated the start of 2022 with a display of fireworks over the snow-covered Red Square. The square was closed to the public to prevent the coronavirus from spreading, while journalists were allowed to film fireworks over the Kremlin.
Fireworks lit up the ancient monuments of the Greek capital as the country faces record coronavirus infections. Greece has banned public celebrations of Christmas and New Year and has ordered the wearing of masks even outdoors, to help curb the spread of the Omicron variant, which has forced the government to increase restrictions on the tourism sector.
In Paris, the traditional display of fireworks on the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees boulevard was canceled because authorities wanted to avoid creating large crowds. Police restricted entry to the Champs Elysees and alcohol consumption was banned in certain areas of Paris.
Berlin celebrated the New Year without the traditional fireworks at the historic spot of the German capital, the Brandenburg Gate. Instead there were fewer fireworks on the Konzerthaus concert hall in the historic Gendarmenmarkt square.
The famous Big Ben clock in London marked the New Year for the first time since 2017, after three years of restorations. The display of fireworks on the clock tower and other landmarks was initially canceled due to restrictions on COVID-19, but was restored a few hours before midnight, along with instructions to stay home and watch it on TV.
Thousands of locals and tourists from all over the world gathered on the world famous Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro to welcome the New Year./VOA/
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