London's New Year's Eve fireworks display has been called off due to COVID-19 concerns.
London Steps Away from Traditional New Year's Eve Fireworks
Looks like London won't be lighting up the skies this New Year's Eve, as Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced the cancellation of the annual fireworks display due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. According to Almaty.tv, citing ukrinform.ru, Khan made it clear that gathering a large crowd for the celebration isn't on the agenda this year.
"So, here's the deal," Khan explained, "There won't be a fireworks show this New Year's like we've seen in the past. We got to keep people from packing together for the festivities."
Instead of the traditional gathering, Khan and his team are cooking up an at-home alternative to ensure Londoners can still ring in the New Year in safety and comfort.
Khan acknowledged that the New Year's in London is usually a grand spectacle, capturing the attention of people worldwide. However, he admitted that this year, they'll have to scale things back due to the grim reality of the pandemic.
In Britain, COVID-19 cases have been on a rampage, nearly doubling every seven to eight days. Yesterday alone, over 3,300 new cases were reported, forcing the government to consider tightening the national lockdown further.
Back in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc globally, the fireworks were cancelled as part of broader restrictions. In lieu of the grand spectacle, Londoners were treated to livestreamed events and neighborhood celebrations that were more in line with health guidelines.
For potential future cancellations, it's common for cities to turn to alternative means of celebration, such as virtual broadcasts, drone light shows, or neighborhood events. Icons like the iconic London landmarks, which have been known to light up in solidarity with others, could also be used for symbolic displays.
- Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional New Year's Eve fireworks display in London has been cancelled, as announced by Mayor Sadiq Khan.
- Instead of the large gathering for the fireworks, Londoners are encouraged to celebrate at home this New Year to ensure safety and comply with health measures.
- The science community is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation, with new cases in Britain nearly doubling every seven to eight days, and over 3,300 new cases reported yesterday.
- In light of the pandemic, cities around the world are increasingly looking towards alternative means of celebration, such as virtual broadcasts, drone light shows, or neighborhood events, to maintain a sense of community and celebrate important occasions while prioritizing health and wellness.
- The London landmarks, symbols of the city, may also participate in the alternative festivities, perhaps using symbolic displays to show solidarity and spread a message of hope during challenging times.
