PHOTOS: World welcomes New Year 2021

First Published Jan 1, 2021, 10:31 AM IST

The world welcomed New Year 2021 amid uncertainities surrounding Coronavirus and hopes of flourishing life. New Year's Eve was celebrated like no other, with pandemic restrictions limiting crowds. Here are some glimpses

People seen having their photo taken in front of a neon Happy New Year sign as people wearing masks walk past during New Year's Eve celebrations on December 31, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. Celebrations look different this year as COVID-19 restrictions remain in place due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

A fireworks display over the Ancient Acropolis during New Year's Eve celebrations on January 1, 2021 in Athens, Greece. New Year's eve celebratory fireworks have been cancelled or televised in major cities worldwide in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19 infections.

Fireworks explode at midnight, celebrating the official start of the new year during the "Willkommen 2021" performance behind the Brandenburg Gate on January 01, 2021 in Berlin, Germany. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Berlin's annual official New Year's Eve festivities were broadcast over the ZDF television network without the celebration's traditional public audience of thousands or fireworks display, as the government discourages gatherings under the second lockdown designed to prevent further spread of the virus that has so far killed over 33,000 people in the country.

Fireworks are seen over St. Peter's Basilica on New Year's Eve during the Coronavirus pandemic on January 01, 2021, in Rome, Italy. The Italian government continues to enforce the national lockdown measures to control the spread of COVID-19 in the final days of 2020. New Year's Eve celebratory fireworks have been cancelled in most cities worldwide or broadcasted online in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19 infections.

Healthcare workers in personal protective equipment (PPE) celebrate the new year in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on New Year's Eve in the COVID-19 department of the San Filippo Neri Hospital amid the coronavirus pandemic, on December 31, 2020, in Rome, Italy. Hospitals in Italy are under pressure as they battle to treat those who have contracted COVID-19 in final days of 2020. The Italian government continues to enforce national lockdown measures to control the spread of COVID-19. There have been over 2,070,000 reported coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Italy and more than 73,029 related deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.

People attend a public New Year's Eve countdown party in the city center on January 01, 2021 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Vietnamese people celebrated New Year this year with a sense of joy, knowing that their country has been one of the most successful in the world at containing the arrival and the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

A fireworks display is seen over the Sydney Harbour Bridge during New Year's Eve celebrations on January 01, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. Celebrations look different this year as COVID-19 restrictions remain in place due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

People wearing masks are seen taking photos along Princess Bridge during New Year's Eve celebrations on December 31, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. Celebrations look different this year as COVID-19 restrictions remain in place due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

A fireworks display is seen over the Sydney Opera House during New Year's Eve celebrations on January 01, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. Celebrations look different this year as COVID-19 restrictions remain in place due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Fireworks explode during a display over Newcastle on New Year’s Eve on December 31, 2020 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. New Year's Eve Celebrations have been curtailed in the UK this year dues to Coronavirus pandemic restrictions. With most of the UK in tiers three and four socialising is off limits.

A woman takes a photo on her mobile phone in the quiet city centre streets on Hogmanay on December 31, 2020 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Members of the public have been urged to bring in the new year at home, as events and socializing are banned this Hogmanay.

Fireworks light up the Taiwan skyline and Taipei 101 when LED signs Taiwan can help during New Years Eve celebrations on January 01, 2021 in Taipei, Taiwan.

Dancers perform with face masks during the "Willkommen 2021" performance behind the Brandenburg Gate on December 31, 2020 in Berlin, Germany. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Berlin's annual official New Year's Eve festivities were broadcast over the ZDF television network without the celebration's traditional public audience of thousands or fireworks display, as the government discourages gatherings under the second lockdown designed to prevent further spread of the virus that has so far killed over 33,000 people in the country.

A fireworks display is seen over Puerta del Sol Square on New Year's Eve during the coronavirus pandemic on December 31, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. Madrid's regional government has forbidden celebrations for New Year's Eve at Puerta del Sol Square for first time in its history due to the Covid-19 pandemic and has extended the curfew time to 1:30 am.

People gather on Gyllyngvase Beach to see in the New Year on January 1, 2021 in Falmouth, United Kingdom. New Year's Eve Celebrations have been curtailed in the UK this year dues to Coronavirus pandemic restrictions. With most of the UK in tiers three and four socialising is off limits.