RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The uncertainty the Omicron variant is causing among Brazilian health officials in the states and cities has led to many cancellations at New Year’s Eve parties across the country.
Concerts and arts events have been canceled in at least 20 capitals to avoid crowds. However, fireworks were maintained in some capitals.
In Recife (northeast), there will be only a 17-minute fireworks display on Boa Viagem beach and in other parts of the city. Four ferries are distributed along the city promenade to guarantee the spectacle, carried out with fireworks without noise.
A municipal ordinance prohibits noisy devices in events promoted by the municipality.
In addition to banning New Year’s Eve parties, Fortaleza (Northeast) has issued an ordinance imposing a crowd limit for private parties. According to the ordinance, significant events in closed venues may hold up to 2,500 people. In open venues, up to 5,000 people are allowed.
Parties were also canceled in Porto Alegre (south). The celebration was held in Orla do Guaíba in honor of the capital’s 250th anniversary. Given the spread of the Omicron variant, local authorities decided to suspend the concerts to avoid crowds in the Usina do Gasômetro, where the party was to be held.
In Boa Vista (north), however, the festivities continued. The municipality last week announced the music program for the 31st. The events will take place in the Parque do Rio Branco and begin at 5 p.m.
In Rio de Janeiro (southeast), ten fireworks shows are planned. At Copacabana, the fireworks will last 16 minutes and be accompanied by a pyro-musical show telling the city’s story through the background music.
Sound towers have been installed along the promenade. However, to avoid crowds, the city government imposed a series of restrictions on passenger traffic, including closing subway stations near Copacabana Beach.
In Balneário Camboriú, a popular tourist destination in the country’s south, a 15-minute fireworks display will be set off on New Year’s Eve. The countdown will take place on the Ferris wheel, one of the city’s flagships. The local government expects the hotel network to have 100 percent occupancy of available rooms.
According to the latest Health Ministry survey released yesterday (28th), 77 cases of the Omicron variant were registered in Brazil, and not a single death.
Omicron is considered more contagious than delta, but the course of the disease is deemed considerably milder. This is why new cases are skyrocketing worldwide while the number of deaths is declining.