UK: New Year's Eve event at Trafalgar Square cancelled as Omicron cases rise

Siq Khan, Mayor of London, announced on December 21 that New Year's Eve event at Trafalgar Square will not take place due to public safety concerns amid Omicron scare. Mayor has vised people to spend night watching television. Due to escalating number of Omicron cases, UK capital h alrey planned to stage a special event inste of a typical fireworks show.

Mayor posted announcement on Twitter. caption re, "Due to surge in COVID cases, we have taken difficult decision to cancel our NYE event in Trafalgar Square. safety of Londoners must come first. A spectacular NYE celebration showcasing our city will still be shown on midnight on BBC1 - I urge all Londoners to tune in."

'We must take right steps to reduce spre of virus'

"This will be very disappointing for many Londoners, but we must take right steps to reduce spre of virus... I'm proud that we will still have an incredible brocast spectacular to watch on our screens, which will showcase our great city to rest of world," Khan stated.

According to Khan, 65,500 new coronavirus cases have been reported in London in last week, resulting in a 29% rise in hospital missions. decision was me after government experts asked for stricter limitations earlier this month, claiming that if no restrictions were imposed, daily number of new cases might reach 600,000 to two million by end of December.

Queen cancelled Christmas celebration at Sandringham for second year in a row

COVID has caused Queen Elizabeth II, 95, to deviate from trition for second year in a row by spending Christmas at Windsor Castle, west of London, rar than at royal Sandringham estate in eastern England. queen will be spending her first Christmas without her husband, late Prince Philip, who died in April. However, members of royal family are anticipated to pay her a visit over holidays.

Before rapid spre of Omicron variant, which has caused an increase in COVID-19 infections, 6,500 people were expected to attend event in central London. recent rise of cases has wreaked havoc on London's entertainment and hospitality industries, with Khan warning of serious job losses if trend continues.

Image: AP/Pixabay