Photos of the world welcoming 2022, as omicron weighs on celebrations
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From Sydney to Shanghai and Paris to New York, the world ushered in 2022 with New Year celebrations that were largely overshadowed by pandemic concerns — even as uncertainty looms and the omicron variant continues to drive up infections globally.
Australia and New Zealand were first to welcome in the New Year, closely followed by Europe, Asia, and North America.
In the shadow of Covid-19, we welcome the New Year to the Earth.
Sydney, Australia
Fireworks can be seen in Sydney Harbour during New Year celebrations. New Year’s Eve festivities are still a little different because of the continuing coronavirus pandemic.
Getty Images| Getty Images
As Australia welcomes 2022, spectacular fireworks were displayed over Sydney Opera House (and Harbour Bridge). According to Reuters, queues had already formed at many vantage points from early December 31st. According to local media, New South Wales was the most populous in the country and recorded 22 577 Covid deaths. The number of intensive care patients increased.
Auckland, New Zealand
Waka Hourua’s sails are seen under a light display from Harbour Bridge and Skytower during Auckland New Year’s Eve festivities on January 1, 2022, Auckland, New Zealand. Due to restrictions imposed by government Covid-19, the light show “Auckland Is Calling” replaces normal fireworks.
Dave Rowland, Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images for Auckland Unlimited
In New Zealand, restrictions on public gatherings in Auckland were easedThe New Year will be observed on December 30th at 11:59 PM local time. Fears of drunken revelers forced the cancellation of traditional fireworks. From 9 to midnight, the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Sky Tower, and Auckland Harbour Bridge were lit up.
This comes at a time when Covid-19-related infections in the world exceed 287 million and global deaths surpass 5.4 million according to Johns Hopkins University data. Two days ago, it was the World Health Organization warned of a “tsunami of cases”The same goes for delta and omicron.
New York, United States
Revelers celebrate New Year’s Eve in Times Square on Dec. 31, 2021 in New York City. Despite a surge in Covid-19 cases New Year’s Eve happened as planed but with only 15,000 vaccinated participants allowed, who were also required to be masked at all times.
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Celebrations took place in New York CityAlthough they were reduced, the New Year’s Eve vaccinations had to be observed and all vaccinated people must wear masks and follow social distancing rules. About 15,000 on-site observers were allowed to meet in Times Square for the annual ball drop, and to greet 2022.
Installing panels of the new Waterford crystals called Gift of Wisdom, on top of One Times Square in preparation for New Year’s Eve Ball. Panels side-by-side with new 2022 crystals to the right and 2021 crystals left.
Lev Radin | Pacific Press | LightRocket via Getty Images
The number of covid cases across the nation and in New York City may be at record levels, but Mayor Bill de Blasio is not. told NBCThursday, October 31, 2010: “We want the world to see that New York City has fought its way through all of this.
Shanghai, China
As the world prepares for the new year, many people use balloons to create the number “2022” during Xintiandi’s New Year’s Eve shopping in Shanghai on Dec. 31, 2021.
VCG | Visual China Group | Getty Images
China’s “zero tolerance” policy continues to be a battle against Covid-19. China ended 2021 with some of the highest Covid cases per week since the end of the first epidemic, which occurred two years ago. according to Reuters.
The total number of local symptomatic cases in the mainland this past week reached 1,151, after 175 new community infections with clinical symptoms were reported for Dec. 31, the news agency said citing statistics from the National Health Commission.
In an effort to stop the spread of infection, Chinese cities cancelled New Year’s Eve festivities in all Chinese cities, from Nanjing to Wuhan. according to the South China Morning Post.
Pyongyang, North Korea
On Jan. 1, 2022, people gathered to see a fireworks display at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang to mark the beginning of the new year.
AFP | AFP | Getty Images
Paris, France
As crowds gather in Paris to welcome the New Year, a couple kisses along the Champs Elysees Avenue.
Getty Images| AFP | Getty Images
Madrid, Spain
As part of New Year Celebrations, fireworks light up the skies at Puerta del Sol Madrid (Spain) on December 31, 2021.
Juan Carlos Rojas Rodriguez | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
Krakow (Poland)
On January 1, 2022, people celebrate the New Year at Krakus Mound Krakow in Krakow (Poland).
Beata Zawrzel | NurPhoto | Getty Images
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