(Australia) Sydney restricts New Year's Eve fireworks to limit spread of COVID-19

 

New Year's Eve fireworks over Sydney Harbour will go ahead this year but will be shortened to just a few minutes and the city precinct will be restricted to those with restaurant; cafe and hotel bookings in order to limit the spread of Covid-19. Reuters reported that prime harbor side spots; normally coveted by thousands of revelers to watch the traditional 12-minute pyrotechnic display; will be set aside for health workers who have been treating Covid-19 patients and firefighters. Although Australia has for weeks recorded just daily single digit new cases of COVID-19; New South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian said crowd numbers will be limited for the event in areas that typically draw thousands of viewers.