This archive report was first published on 31 December 2021.
Published on December 31, 2021, as the world bid farewell to 2021 and welcomed 2022, a mix of emotions filled the air. The year 2021 was marked by new restrictions, soaring case numbers, and a glimmer of hope for better times ahead.
With over 5.4 million people having lost their lives since the coronavirus was first reported in central China in December 2019, the world was still reeling from the pandemic's impact.
Despite the challenges, many countries found ways to celebrate the start of a new year. In Kenya, Christians gathered in churches for overnight thanksgiving prayers, while in New Zealand, a low-key lights display was projected onto Auckland landmarks, including the Sky Tower and Harbour Bridge, replacing the traditional fireworks show.
However, many places opted for muted or cancelled New Year's Eve celebrations for the second straight year due to a surge of coronavirus infections driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant. Neighbouring Australia, however, went ahead with its celebrations despite an explosion in virus cases.
While the Omicron surge has brought concerns, it has also offered a glimmer of hope for 2022, with lower levels of hospitalisations and deaths reported, especially among vaccinated people.
