New Year's Eve celebrations in Rio cancelled due to rise in COVID-19 cases

Amid the surge in COVID-19 cases, the Brazilian coastal city of Rio de Janeiro has cancelled the New Year's Eve celebrations that attract three million people every year to Copacabana beach, media said on Saturday.

"With regard to New Year's Eve, the traditional model that we know and have practised for years, as well as the carnival, will be impossible during the pandemic without a vaccine," RioTur, a municipal travel agency, was quoted as saying by the UOL news website.

The company will consider alternatives to mass gathering and present them to Rio Mayor Marcelo Crivella. The options on the table include orgsing smaller-scale celebrations across the city and broadcasting events, such as the traditional fireworks display. (Sputnik/)

( With inputs from ANI )