Due to the measures taken within the scope of the fight against Coronavirus (COVID-19), European countries said hello to the New Year under COVID-19 restrictions. Millions of people from countries like Germany, France and Belgium choose to stay home during the New Year celebrations. Also citizens in many cities in Germany, especially in the capital Berlin, were entered the New Year at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Under normal conditions before pandemic, the streets of Berlin, which were full of tourists from other cities of the country and abroad, as well as Berliners, was attracted attention with its calmness in the New Year. But some citizens in Cologne and Frankfurt cities of the Germany did not recognize the COVID-19 measures and bans.
Meanwhile France, which has been fighting against 5 wave of the COVID-19, was also welcomed the new year under COVID-19 restrictions. While bars and cafes in Paris, the capital city of France, were stay closed on December 31 night, also nightclubs, which been closed from December 10, have stay closed at the New Year night. In addition to that, concerts, use of fireworks, and official celebrations in the country canceled, while gathering on streets and consumption of alcohol prohibited during New Year night. French government also was prohibited fireworks and celebrations on streets, which are as part of New Year celebrations, at worldwide famous Champs-Elysee Avenue. Meanwhile in Lyon city of France, citizens stayed their homes during New Year celebrations and city streets welcomed the New Year in complete silence due to COVID-19 restrictions.
In Belgium, citizens had to welcome the New Year under fear of Omicron mutation, which is new variant of COVID-19. Belgians preferred to stay at home in 2022 due to the formal requirement to cafes and restaurants must be closed at 11:00 PM local time in the country. Many events were also banned due to the COVID-19 measures implemented throughout the country, especially in the capital city, Brussels. The winter market “Plaisirs d’Hiver”, which has thousands of visitors every year in Brussels, stopped its activities this year on the grounds that the rule of 1 person per square meter could not be applied within the scope of the latest measures. Again, as part of the measures, entertainment venues throughout the country remained closed.