Sorry Bahrain! No fireworks for New Year celebrations this time

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

There will be no fireworks display this year in Bahrain to welcome the New Year, announced Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority, amid fears sparked by a new coronavirus strain.

The fireworks held annually at the Bahrain Bay Area to celebrate the New Year Day used to attract people en-masse.

However, the decision this year is to avoid the display, as part of efforts to combat the pandemic, which has claimed over 350 lives in the Kingdom and 1,751,733 lives worldwide.

BTEA said they are cancelling fireworks to avoid gatherings and ensure that people are adhering strictly to the COVID-19 precautionary measures.

“Synergized efforts with the frontlines in combating COVID-19 would bring life back to normal and festivities will return,” added BTEA.

COVID-19 had also dampened Christmas celebrations worldwide with the coronavirus situation worsening in the west with a new strain of the virus spreading havoc.

China is the latest country to suspend flights to and from the UK to contain the new strain that British officials believe spreads faster. Experts say the new strain of the virus surfaced in Britain had also been detected in small numbers elsewhere. They, however, said there is no evidence it is more lethal or resistant to vaccines.