San Francisco has announced the cancellation of the city’s annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display, owing to the spread of the new Omicron Covid-19 variant accelerated by holiday gatherings and travel.
The event would draw tens of thousands to the waterfront, creating a breeding ground for viral infections, public health officials said Tuesday, adding that another major concern is a lack of staff to handle large events, according to the Xinhua news agency.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the number of parties and revellers on New Year’s Eve already poses challenges for San Francisco’s police and fire departments.
According to health officials, 84% of eligible San Francisco residents have been fully vaccinated against the virus, and 55% have received a booster shot.
