New Year celebrations across the world amid COVID-19 pandemic- In Pics

New York City readied to embrace the new year  and bid good riddance to another pandemic-marred 12 months as it prepared to revive its annual New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square.

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Many Chinese cities cancelled New Year`s Eve events as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19, with the Northwest Xi`an`s lockdown measure continuing into the ninth day, Global Times reported. The popular Happy Valley amusement park in China`s capital city Beijing has cancelled its New Year`s Eve theme activity scheduled on Friday (December 31) night.

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Australia was on board for New Year celebrations despite an explosion in virus cases. Some fireworks were let off early in the evening to give younger children a preview of the centrepiece of festivities, the renowned fireworks display from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.

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Greece has confirmed 40,560 new coronavirus cases within the past 24 hours, marking thus the largest daily increase since the start of the pandemic, the National Public Health Organization (NPHO) said. Like many other countries, Greece is now facing a new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic linked to the spread of the Omicron strain. 

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In Thailand, authorities were allowing New Year's Eve parties and fireworks displays to continue, albeit with strict safety measures. They were hoping to slow the spread of the omicron variant while also softening the blow to the country's battered tourism sector. New Year's Eve prayers, which are usually held in Buddhist temples around Thailand, were held online instead.

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Japan's Emperor Naruhito offered prayers for those who died during the pandemic, taking to video for the second straight year for his New Year's greeting on Saturday, having cancelled public palace gatherings to curb coronavirus infections.

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Britain recognised the scientists and medical chiefs at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19 in Queen Elizabeth’s annual New Year’s honours list, while James Bond actor Daniel Craig was given the same award as his famous onscreen character.

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