Serbia is celebrating New Year’s Eve loudly

–

–

Students and celebrants take part in the annual New Year’s Eve Escape Masquerade at the Faculty of Technical Sciences amid the coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19) in Belgrade Photos: Reuters

–

Stormy New Year’s celebrations engulfed the Serbian capital, Belgrade, on Friday night, where, unlike elsewhere in Europe, mass rallies were allowed despite fears of the rapidly expanding Omicron version, the Associated Press reported.

Large crowds gathered in the city for outdoor concerts, fireworks and a light show at the newly built Dubai-style glass tower, which has become an iconic project for Serbia’s right-wing populist government.
With its many nightclubs and bars and its relatively low prices, Belgrade has become an important destination for mostly young partygoers from neighboring Balkan countries.

–

Serbian state television RTS reported that about 100,000 visitors came to Belgrade for the holidays and filled the city’s hotels and apartments for rent. The restaurants and bars were full.
Serbian authorities ignored warnings from medical experts who said mass celebrations should be canceled while Omicron marched across the continent, BTA added.

–

Serbian epidemiologist Zoran Radovanovic compared state-backed mass events to “premeditated mass murder”. He predicts thousands of new coronavirus infections are expected in Serbia after the holidays.

–

In a bid to allay concerns, Belgrade city authorities distributed 50,000 masks and set up points for quick tests and disinfection of fenced entrances for New Year’s concerts. But vaccination certificates, which are required for bars and restaurants, are not required for outdoor events in Serbia.

–

“We intend to go for a walk and go to the concert,” said Vesna Svilar, who lives in Denmark and has returned to her homeland for the holidays. She adds that she is not worried because she is wearing a mask and has been vaccinated.

–

Others are not afraid of getting infected.

–

“Why should I be afraid? We should live our lives,” said a Belgrade resident who introduces herself with only her first name, Zelka. “I’m not even vaccinated, but I don’t think about COVID-19 at all. People die every day anyway.”

–

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Serbia, with a population of about 7 million, has registered almost 1.3 million cases and 12,714 deaths from COVID-19. Currently, vaccination certificates are mandatory in bars and restaurants, but only in the evening.

–

– .

Related posts:

Large fire in the Farmacol hall. Firefighters intervene

Per Holknekt plans to appeal in the battle against gambling companies.

Arctic pollution hits nearby freshwater lake

Multiple Shootings at Rotterdam University Hospital and Nearby House: Several Victims and Suspect Ar...

Share this:

• Facebook
• X

Related