(FILES) In this file picture taken on December 31, 2019 a group of women lap waves as a Brazilian tradition as they watch the traditional New Year’s fireworks at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. – Rio de Janeiro cancelled this year’s traditional New Year’s fireworks over the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic, the city’s Maroyalty announced on July 25, 2020. (Photo by DANIEL RAMALHO / AFP)
The annual New Year’s Eve celebrations which traditionally see millions of people gathered on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro have been cancelled this year as Brazil grapples with surging coronavirus infections, city authorities said.
The celebrations are “not viable in this pandemic scenario, without a vaccine,” the city’s tourism office said in a statement, noting that the world-famous Carnival celebrations, normally set for February, might also have to be cancelled.
Instead, a virtual New Year’s celebration was being planned.
“There is no great reason…
Source: Guardian Newspaper
