SYDNEY/SEOUL – New Year celebrations all over the world were cancelled due to coronavirus. However, Australia continued to revel in the event and was even spotted preparing fireworks for North Korea.

The number of coronavirus cases in the world rose to a new record during the seven days, reaching an average just above one million per day between December 24th and 30th. This is 100,000 more than the Wednesday peak, which was recorded by Reuters.

Many countries are experiencing record highs and authorities have delayed celebrations in order to welcome 2022. They fear that Omicron, the conquering Omicron, will profit from these gatherings.

Australia, despite record-breaking infections in certain places, is still determined to welcome the new year with a bang.

Scott Morrison, Prime Minister, asked people to enjoy the evening, while Dominic Perrottet (premier of New South Wales State) urged everyone “to head out and have a great New Year”, even though daily infection rates in New South Wales nearly doubled to 21,151.

Perrottet stated that he was encouraged by the higher level of vaccinations and the fact hospitals had been able to cope with the Omicron wave.

Reporters were told by him that his position “remains incredibly solid.”

Sydney has social distancing regulations and requires masks indoors. However, thousands are expected to gather at its harbourside to see the New Year fireworks. Queues form from early morning to many points.

North Korea, secretly, appeared also to be plotting to take a different approach and mark the New Year by lighting midnight fireworks on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang.

According to NK News (a Seoul-based website which monitors North Korea), commercial satellite imagery revealed that preparations had begun with a stage being placed in the square.

Rodong Sinmun, a state newspaper published photographs of flowers shops packed with people wearing masks buying flowers for celebrations.

North Korea has sealed its borders since the outbreak of the pandemic and hasn’t reported any COVID-19 cases.

CHINA ALERT

The mood wasn’t so festive at the South Korean border.

The traditional midnight bell-ringing ceremony was cancelled this year. Authorities announced that they would extend stricter distance rules for two more weeks in an effort to combat an increase in infections.

China was the country where coronavirus appeared in late 2019. Authorities put the city of Xian on lockdown, and other New Year celebrations were cancelled.

Jakarta authorities will close 11 streets that draw large crowds to celebrate the New Year. Police in Malaysia have also banned huge gatherings across the country and cancelled the spectacular fireworks display at Kula Lumpur’s Petronas Twin Towers.

Fumio Kishida, the Japanese Prime Minister, took to YouTube to encourage people to use masks to attend parties. He also suggested that they limit how many people are allowed to attend. Tokyo’s Shibuya entertainment district banned all year-end parties.

New Zealand, a country known for its ability to keep the virus at bay will be celebrating. Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, relaxed restrictions to allow people to sing and dance this week.

Indian authorities began imposing strict rules Thursday night to stop large gatherings. They also imposed night curfews in major cities to restrict the number of customers and restaurant closings.

In spite of the bans on domestic tourism, many tourists travel to Goa, the west coast’s beaches, bars and nightclubs to celebrate the New Year.