Rio de Janeiro Cancels NYE Celebrations Due to Omicron Fears
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Due to the spread of the recent COVID-19 variant, the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro cancels its famous end-of-year festival held on the beach of Copacabana.
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More than 20 other Brazilian cities, including the city of Sao Paulo, have already canceled year-end festivities.
Rio de Janeiro has decided to cancel its huge New Year's celebration amid rising concerns over the spread of the new COVID-19 variant known as Omicron.
The move raised doubts about the city's iconic Carnival in February.
"We are going to cancel the official celebration of the New Year's party in Rio," Mayor Eduardo Paes announced Saturday on Twitter.
He added the decision was made "with sadness," after six cases of the variant have been confirmed in Brazil to date.
More than 20 other Brazilian cities, including the city of Sao Paulo, have already canceled year-end festivities.
On Thursday, Paes announced people would now need COVID-19 vaccination certificates to enter beauty salons, restaurants, and hotels. They were previously required in cinemas, theaters, gyms, museums, and sports stadiums.
Rio's New Year's festivities bring some three million people to the famous Copacabana beach.
In the meantime, Rio's famous samba schools continue to practice dance moves, prepare floats and create exotic costumes.
COVID-19 has claimed more than 615,000 lives in Brazil.
