Finns welcome less festive New Year amid COVID restrictions

The celebrations of New Year 2022 have begun across the country amid less festivity due to coronavirus restrictions for the second consecutive year.

The New Year celebrations attracted several thousands of people who welcome the 2022 moment after midnight through fireworks displays almost every part of the country.

Although most of the local authorities did not arrange fireworks display due to the restrictions following worsening coronavirus situation in the country, people organised the fireworks by their own and individual initiatives at all most every part of the country.

The fireworks display organised by the City of Helsinki was visible from wide areas across the city. Children had their own online programme on the Helsinki channel.

People gathered at different points particularly on the bank of rivers and lakes and organised fireworks displays to mark the farewell of the old year and welcome the new year.

The performances such stage performance by well-known artists took place without audiences due to the restrictions.

Helsinki’s New Year’s event was celebrated at home in the company of the biggest stars. The concert, broadcast from Hartwall Arena, took place without an audience and broadcast live on Yle’s channels, said the City of Helsinki in a press release.

The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) recommended that the upcoming New Yar parties should be organized in a wisest shape, wearing face mask and maintaining safe distance among the participants.

A total of 11,334 new coronavirus infections were diagnosed in the country in the last 24 hours on Friday.

The weather was very good almost all the parts of the country during the New Year´s celebrations.

Today is public holiday. All government, semi-government and private offices will remain closed on the occasion of the New Year.