Thousands gather in Wuhan to celebrate New Year despite Covid spike

WUHAN: In 2019, thousands gathered for the New Year's Eve celebration in Wuhan, China, which is said to be the source of the Covid pandemic. Although the countries of the world have come out of the fear of Covid, the situation in China is still worrying. The Chinese government has withdrawn the much-controversial zero-covid policy after public protested against strict restrictions.

As the clock struck 12 on New Year's Day, people gathered in Wuhan traditionally released balloons into the sky. Meanwhile, reports indicate that at least 9,000 people are dying in China every day due to covid. According to Airfinity, a research firm based in Britain, the number of people dying from Covid-19 in China has doubled. The death toll comes after China eased its zero-covid restrictions. Many question the lack of efficacy of the Chinese vaccine.

By the middle of this month, the spread of Covid-19 in China may rise to 3.7 million per day. Various countries have introduced covid tests for travelers coming from China. Countries may take decisions in the coming days, including banning flights to China. In 2019, travelers from China were the first to bring the Covid virus to countries to places including Europe.