Paris cancels New Year’s Eve fireworks due to omicron concerns

Officials in Paris have canceled New Year’s Eve firework festivities due to the growing concern about the fast spreading omicron COVID-19 variant, France24.com reported. 

A scientific panel suggested on Friday that authorities “should impose significant restrictions” due to increasing caseloads.

“With regard to the acceleration of the pandemic, and the risks related to the end-of-year festivities, authorities should impose significant restrictions,” the panel said. 

Paris’ municipal authorities later announced the cancellation of the New Year’s Eve firework event, according to France24.com. 

The cancellation comes as various European countries have imposed restrictions stemming from the spread of the omicron variant. 

German authorities on Friday designated France and Denmark as high-risk zones, imposing quarantine restrictions for unvaccinated travelers of the two countries, France24.com reported. 

South African health officials confirmed last month the discovery of a new variant.

European Union (EU) commission president Ursula von der Leyen has warned that the omicron variant could dominate the European continent by mid-January, France24.com noted.