Much of the world said “Sayonara!” until 2020 long before the new year landed in the United States, and a subdued Times Square.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to sweep the world, arguably making 2020 one of the worst years on record, here are some countries that ushered in 2021.
Samoa, Tonga and Kiritimati
The Pacific Islands are the first in the world to incorporate the new year. Apia, the capital of Samoa and its largest city, was celebrated with live music and fireworks on the government’s Facebook page.
The new year on the islands began at 5 a.m., Eastern Time.
And while it’s right next to Samoa, American Samoa is actually 25 hours behind the island, making it one of the last to welcome 2021.
New Zealand
Kiwis sounded in 2021 with a fireworks show on the Auckland Harbor Bridge, a double celebration as the country enjoys a COVID-free state. Thousands of people gathered for the five-minute light show, the Evening Standard reported.
Australia
Sydney’s streets were empty despite the city’s annual fireworks display at Harbor Bridge.
City officials enforced strict COVID-19 restrictions in hopes of frustrating crowds and containing the spread of the virus, news.com.au reported.
Melbourne, Australia’s second most populous city, ended its New Year’s fireworks display due to the pandemic.
Japan
The new year of the nation began at 10 a.m. Thursday, Eastern Time. The celebration usually sees crowds approaching the shrines and temples to mark the feast. This year officials closed the doors of Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, among the most popular, to limit the size of the people.
Provincial Governor Yuriko Koike urged residents to “emphasize life over fun” as Tokyo faces a wave of coronavirus infections.
China
Beijing’s annual light show was canceled, but thousands in Wuhan, where the COVID-19 outbreak originated, celebrated the release of balloons into the air, BBC News reported.
Taiwan
The Asian country kept the theme of “love” to bear in 2021, encouraging front-line medical workers to their bonfire fireworks in the capital Taipei, Euro News said.
The five-minute show used 16,000 fireworks and included red and blue hearts.
Russia
Russia welcomed 2021 with a large fireworks display over the Kremlin in Moscow’s Red Square, the Telegraph reports.
In his annual speech before midnight in the nation, President Vladimir Putin urged the country to join in its fight against the coronavirus.
Greece
Fireworks like the night sky over the Acropolis of Athens as the Greeks celebrated the new year, ABC News said on Twitter.
Greek officials announced before the New Year that authorities would keep people off the streets to prevent public unrest.
South Africa
Johannesburg canceled the typical New Year’s Eve due to the spread of the coronavirus.
Instead, the city’s mayor, Geoff Makhubo, lit a candle on the Nelson Mandela Bridge and urged residents to do the same, instead of firecrackers, KSN-TV reported.
Greek officials announced before the New Year that authorities would keep people off the streets to prevent public unrest.
South Africa
Johannesburg canceled the typical New Year’s Eve due to the spread of the coronavirus.
Instead, the city’s mayor, Geoff Makhubo, lit a candle on the Nelson Mandela Bridge and urged residents to do the same, instead of firecrackers, KSN-TV reported.
Germany
This year’s celebration at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, which is usually one of the biggest street parties in Europe, was without a live audience. Berliners who still wanted to enjoy music could stream it online or watch it on television.
France
Although there were no public events in Paris, the city offered free entertainment with a live virtual concert at the famous Notre Dame Cathedral by composer Jean-Michel Jarre, according to the Daily Express.
Those who came out to call the new year were under the watchful eye of 100,000 police officers sent across the country to enforce the blocking rules, according to France24.com.
Scotland
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations aired online, thanks to the help of 150 drones that captured the event, the Daily Record reported.
Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon set out what he hoped not to see. “There are no meetings, no parties in the house, no first floor. Instead, we should bring 2021 to our own homes with only our own homes, ”he said.