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(CNN) – For a while it seemed like we could usher in New Years Eve in big cities around the world with something that resembled the grand celebrations of yore.
Another surge in Covid-19 and the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus have dashed those hopes – at least in some parts of the world.
But some major cities in Europe, where Omicron’s proliferation has been terrifying, have already announced that they are flat-out to cancel their plans.
Other cities around the world with traditionally iconic celebrations are still planning to host their events, but with safety precautions.
Starting at 3:00 p.m. ET on December 25, some of the world’s cities are doing so with traditionally large New Year’s Eve events.
Canceled events
The following cities (or nations) have already announced that they are canceling their big shindigs:
Traditionally, Greece hosts fireworks over the Acropolis hill during the New Year celebrations. The show was canceled for that year.
Milos Bicanski / Getty Images
ATHENS
No fireworks over the Acropolis this year. Health Minister Thanos Plevris said during a press conference on Thursday, December 23, that all public Christmas and New Year celebrations planned by the municipalities will be canceled.
All travelers arriving in Greece are strongly advised to take Covid-19 tests on the second and fourth day after their arrival, in addition to the existing requirement to present a negative test result for entry into Greece.
From Thursday, December 24th, from 6 a.m., it is again compulsory to wear a mask indoors and outdoors. A double mask or a high protection mask is required for supermarkets and public transport.
The measures will last until January 3, then, according to Plevris, further restrictions on sports and entertainment venues could be proposed.
BERLIN
Germany will from 28.
This means that neither in Berlin, the capital, nor in other large meeting places such as Munich and Frankfurt, there are big fireworks.
From December 28, a maximum of 10 people will be allowed to meet in groups, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or recovered, said Scholz. Children up to 13 years of age are exempt from the new contact restrictions.
EDINBURGH
New Year’s Eve public celebrations in Scotland are being canceled, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Tuesday, Jan.
Sturgeon said the move “will unfortunately also mean that major Hogmanay celebrations – including those planned here in our capital – will not take place. I know how disappointing this will be to those looking forward to these events.”
LONDON
“Due to the rise in Covid cases, we made 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 that 6,500 people were expected in Trafalgar Square for the celebration.
Instead, a program will air on BBC One at midnight, Khan said.
NEW DELHI
The government of the Indian Union Territory of Delhi, to which the state capital New Delhi belongs, has announced a ban on all social, cultural, political and festive gatherings for the time being due to the increase in Covid-19 cases, reports the New Delhi Bureau of CNN.
All officials “should ensure that there are no cultural events / gatherings / congregations to celebrate Christmas or New Year in the region,” according to the government of Delhi.
Bars and restaurants are only allowed to be used at 50% capacity.
Paris is lit up for Christmas in places like Place Vendome, but there won’t be much of a New Year’s Eve spectacle.
Ludovic Marin / AFP via Getty Images
PARIS
ROME
Events still planned
Sydney, Australia plans to hold its spectacular fireworks display for New Years Eve 2021.
PETER PARKS / AFP / Getty Images
Not all cities in the world have canceled their celebrations. Here are some of the cities traditionally known for their extraordinary fireworks displays and grand New Year’s Eve events that got their plans going on December 25th at 3:00 p.m. Click the links for details including pandemic security measures:
BANGKOK
CAPE TOWN
DUBAI
LAS VEGAS
RIO DE JANEIRO
After Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s party capital, canceled its New Years Eve celebrations earlier this month, the course reversed this week.
“We want to celebrate the end of the year calmly, safely and in an organized manner. We met with the Scientific Committee, which has confirmed that it is safe to conduct the city’s New Year celebrations according to the regulations put forward by the city government,” he said. Mayor Eduardo Paes said that.
Night owls are encouraged to stay close to their homes to “avoid unnecessary travel”.
SYDNEY
TAIPEI
Laura Ly, Jason Hanna, Chris Liakos, Berlin Bureau, Lauren Kent, Samantha Beech, Swati Gupta, Duarte Mendonca, Maija Ehlinger and Marcelo Medeiros from CNN contributed to this article.
