Berlin : Billions of people around the world are set to welcome 2022, on a second New Year’s Eve marked by coronavirus restrictions.
It will take 26 hours between 1000 GMT on Friday and 1200 GMT on Saturday for the entire globe to ring in the New Year, reports dpa international.
The celebrations start in the island nation of Samoa, then going through Australia, Asia to Europe, South America, the US East Coast, California, Hawaii and to the uninhabited islets of Baker Island and Howland Island back in the Pacific.
Many large parties and fireworks displays have been cancelled around the world, for example in London and Paris.
Elsewhere, the celebrations have been scaled down considerably, including events in Madrid and Rio.
In Berlin, there will be no big fireworks display at the Brandenburg Gate and no party with hundreds of thousands of people. However, public broadcaster ZDF plans to offer a show with singers like Bonnie Tyler and Marianne Rosenberg, among others.
In Sydney, the giant fireworks display is again due to take place with spectators, but those who want to experience it live had to buy a ticket for one of around 30 viewing points.
In New York, the traditional New Year’s Eve party in Times Square is to take place again with spectators – but all visitors must be vaccinated against Covid-19.
