There are a few more hours until 2020 ends in Israel, but it has already ended today (Thursday) in several countries around the world. – The first of which are the island states of Samoa and the Caribbean, That 2021 began at 12:00 Israel time. Against the background of the various corona restrictions imposed in many countries, each country will celebrate the reception of the new civil year in a different way.
One of the big countries in which the new year has already entered is New Zealand, where 2021 began at 13:00 Israel time. Australia will join it two hours later. In Sydney, Australia’s largest city, the festivities that accompany the traditional fireworks show have been canceled due to the country’s corona restrictions. Every year, about one million people attend the event, which has been canceled for the first time in 25 years – so it is likely that even if a relatively small number of people came to celebrate, there was a danger of mass infection of the virus. Now, Australians will have to watch the fireworks from the televisions in their homes.
In France, authorities have announced that they will recruit 100,000 police officers in order to prevent mass gatherings at parties and festive occasions. French Interior Minister Gerald Derman has said police will devoutly enforce the curfew imposed in France today from 8pm (local time) to 6am tomorrow (local time). Most enforcement will take place in the centers of the major cities in the country and in “sensitive” neighborhoods.
Britain’s traditional celebrations have also been canceled in London, where the iconic fireworks display over the Thames will not take place this year. However, the BBC will try to comfort the masses a little, and will broadcast a special broadcast for the New Year. Similar celebrations have also been canceled in Madrid, Spain, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Taiwan.
And what about New York, where every year a mass celebration takes place on the city streets, marking the beginning of the new year with the huge disco ball in Times Square? This year, due to the plague and due to restrictions, the mass celebrations have been canceled – and the many city residents and tourists who usually fill the city streets at this time of year, will be forced to stay in their homes and leave it empty of people.
However, the tradition of the huge ball drop at the last minute of the year on the roof of the Times Square 1 skyscraper will continue – but, as mentioned, without people counting back towards the end of the current year. These, like many others, will have to watch the event from home.
And despite all the cancellations, there are countries that will celebrate almost as usual – and the UAE is one of them. In Dubai there are at least 11 places where mass events will take place, under certain restrictions, from which it will be possible to watch a big fireworks show. In order to enter those places, by the way, a negative corona test should be presented at the entrance.