Kamis, 31 Desember 2020

North Korea and Japan see in New Year as majority of world set for muted 2021 celebrations - Sky News

North Korea and Japan have marked the start of 2021, with millions around the world celebrating the New Year at home because of COVID-19.

From Paris to New York, many large cities are preparing for the New Year by implementing strict crowd control measures to limit the spread of coronavirus.

North Korea began 2021 with crowds in the capital Pyongyang's main square.

north korea
Image: Some commentators said the event was smaller than usual this year

A concert and fireworks show was held amid COVID-19 restrictions.

State television showed attendees wearing face masks but standing close together, waving glowing lights and balloons.

Performers without face coverings sang and danced on a stage decorated with a large, colourful "2021" sign.

Patriotic songs with lyrics such as "glory to the general Kim Jong Un" and "I like my country the best" were prominently featured.

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Costumes included traditional Korean "hanbok" dresses, sequined dance suits and giant snowmen characters.

Some commentators said the event looked smaller than last year's.

n korea
Image: Crowds of partiers filled the main square in the North Korean capital Pyongyang

North Korea has claimed it has no confirmed cases of coronavirus, despite having tested thousands.

The government has imposed near-total border closures as one of its strict COVID-19 measures.

Japan rang in the New Year without its annual event at which Emperor Naruhito and other imperial family members greet members of the public.

In Tokyo, not only were all-night trains been cancelled on New Year's Eve, but several of the city's big countdown parties, concerts and other seasonal gatherings were called off as well, including the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing party.

A bell rang at the Sensoji temple.

China is set to mark 2021 without its usual light show in the capital Beijing.

The city will hold a countdown ceremony with just a few invited guests, with other planned events canceled.

New Year's Eve celebrations in Wuhan
Women hold light balloons as people gather to celebrate the arrival of the new year during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Wuhan, China December 31, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
Image: People in Wuhan gathered to celebrate the arrival of the New Year
New Year's Eve celebrations in Wuhan
People hold balloons as they gather to celebrate the arrival of the new year during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Wuhan, China December 31, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
Image: Wuhan residents gathered for the countdown say they are confident it's safe to do so

In Wuhan, where the pandemic is thought to have originated, thousands have gathered at several popular landmarks across the city centre for the countdown to 2021.

Some said they were being cautious, but weren't particularly worried.

"Safety is the priority," said Wuhan resident Wang Xuemei, 23, a teacher. "It's fine because these measures aren't enforced very strictly," added her friend and colleague Wang Anyu. "You can still go out."

Sydney celebrated with a fireworks display above the Harbour Bridge, which was only watched live by those who live in the area and their guests.

The celebrated annual event normally attracts one million people, but this year Australian officials banned people from gathering near the bridge to watch due to coronavirus restrictions.

New Year's Eve celebrations in Sydney
Fireworks explode over the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge during downsized New Year's Eve celebrations due to an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Sydney, Australia, January 1, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
Image: New Year's Eve fireworks explode over the Sydney Opera House
Sydney
Image: Sydney's fireworks display was shortened to seven minutes this year

The display was shortened to seven minutes and the city precinct restricted to those with restaurant and hotel bookings.

New South Wales state premier Gladys Berejiklian said those who live in the city centre could invite up to 10 friends and family to their homes to celebrate. Guests had to apply for permits to enter the area.

Melbourne, Australia's second-most populous city, cancelled its fireworks.

The city's mayor Sally Capp said: "For the first time in many, many years we made the big decision, difficult decision to cancel the fireworks.

"We did that because we know that it attracts up to 450,000 people into the city for one moment at midnight to enjoy a spectacular display and music. We are not doing that this year."

By contrast, the west coast city of Perth - which has not had community transmission of the virus since April - celebrated the New Year with large crowds present for two fireworks spectacles.

 Warning signs are displayed on security fencing ahead of this year's firework display
Image: Warning signs are displayed on security fencing ahead of this year's firework display
People begin celebrating New Year's Eve at the Sydney Harbour waterfront in Sydney
A man and woman pose for a photo in front of a 2021 sign as a limited number of people begin celebrating New Year's Eve at the Sydney Harbour waterfront amidst tightened COVID-19 prevention regulations in Sydney, Australia, December 31, 2020. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
Image: A man and woman pose for a photo in front of a 2021 sign by the Sydney Harbour waterfront
People begin celebrating New Year's Eve at the Sydney Harbour waterfront in Sydney
A reveller holds a sign reading "2020BYE" as a small number of people begin celebrating New Year's Eve at the Sydney Harbour waterfront amidst tightened COVID-19 prevention regulations in Sydney, Australia, December 31, 2020. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
Image: A reveller holds a sign reading "2020BYE" ahead of celebrations at the Sydney Harbour waterfront

Some parts of western Russia have also started ringing in the New Year.

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Australia welcomes New Year with spectacular display

President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual message, which was available online and broadcast to each time zone at 11.45pm.

In Auckland, New Zealand, residents were treated to a five-minute fireworks and light show when the clock struck midnight.

Auckland
Image: The Sky Tower was adorned with colourful animated laser displays
Auckland
Image: The display in Auckland lasted five minutes

Crowds were allowed to gather in the city to mark the occasion due to the nation's low number of new coronavirus cases.

Thousands of people watched the display up close, which began at midnight from the Sky Tower.

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New Zealand sees in the New Year

The crowd cheered with excitement at 11.45pm when a man on the public address system announced: "We only have 15 minutes".

The Sky Tower has been adorned with colourful animated laser displays of geometric shapes and animals including a green gecko which appeared to be climbing down the 328m tall tower.

In one of the largest gatherings, 30,000 revellers celebrated at a three-day music festival at a winery near Gisborne on the North Island.

The Pacific Island of Tonga was the first country to mark the start of 2021 at 10am GMT.

Auckland
Image: People were allowed to see Auckland's fireworks in person due to low coronavirus infection rates

Taiwan is still hosting its usual fireworks display by its capital city's iconic tower, Taipei 101.

For its annual flag-raising ceremony in front of the Presidential Office Building on New Year's morning, attendance has been limited to government officials and invited guests.

The island has been a success story in the pandemic, registering only seven deaths and 700 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

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Remember this? How world marked New Year pre-COVID

Officials in Hong Kong have cancelled the pyrotechnics over Victoria Harbour, as well as the annual iconic Lunar New Year parade in February.

This makes 2021 the second year in a row the city will miss out on the usually lavish annual celebrations.

Last year's countdown fireworks and the 2020 Lunar New Year parade were both held in much diminished form due to the threat of anti-government protests.

In Ireland, the bells of Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin will not ring in the New Year for the first time in living memory and possibly in centuries.

With the entire country under the toughest COVID-19 restrictions, all New Year's Eve events were moved online.

France has mobilised 100,000 police and gendarmes to break up New Year's Eve parties and enforce a curfew from 8pm to 6am.

Half of the metro lines in Paris will also be closed in the evening to discourage gatherings.

France has had two national lockdowns and bars, restaurants and cultural attractions will remain shut into January.

The country has the largest number of COVID-19 cases in Western Europe.

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2020: A Year To Forget?

Composer and performer Jean-Michel Jarre's avatar will play a set from inside a virtual Notre Dame Cathedral while he himself performs it live at a nearby studio in the city.

In Italy, customary concerts in public plazas have been scrapped in favour of live streamed performances and art installations.

Fireworks will still go ahead in Rome, but Pope Francis will skip his typical visit to the Vatican's life-sized Nativity scene in St Peter's Square. He will deliver his New Year's Day blessing indoors.

Germany has banned the sale of fireworks and limited private gatherings to a maximum of two households and five people.

The country is in lockdown until 10 January and no celebrations are taking place in Berlin.

The Netherlands will host its usual countdown behind closed doors at a football stadium in Amsterdam as it remains in lockdown until 19 January.

The Times Square ball is tested out for the media ahead of the New Year's celebration in Times Square
The Times Square ball is tested out for the media ahead of the New Year's celebration in Times Square amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., December 30, 2020. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
Image: The Times Square ball is tested out for the media ahead of the New Year's celebration in Times Square The Times Square ball is tested out for the media ahead of the New Year's celebration in Times Square amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandem

One of the most iconic New Year's Eve events is the Times Square Ball Drop in New York.

The ball will still be dropping this year, but the party, which usually sees hundreds of thousands cramming the famous LED-lit intersection, will be for an "extremely limited" group of socially distanced in-person "honourees".

Everyone else will need to tune in virtually or watch on TV.

There will be a performance from singer Gloria Gaynor, who will see the year off with a rendition of I Will Survive.

Fireworks have been cancelled in other US cities including San Francisco and Las Vegas.

Turkey is welcoming the new year under a four-day lockdown starting at 9pm on New Year's Eve, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that security forces will inspect hotels for illicit parties.

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2020-12-31 16:07:30Z
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