<span style="color: #222222;">The new variant of Omicron muted the New Year celebrations and many countries around the world are erring on the side of caution and observed low-key festivity.<br />''<br />''There will be no traditional displays above most of the world's landmarks, with fireworks cancelled over Paris's Arc de Triomphe, London's Big Ben and the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.<br />''<br />''Germany has imposed strict contact restrictions to curb the spread of Covid and prohibiting New Year's Eve gatherings.  <br />''<br />''In Italy, Rome is among several cities that have decided to cancel festivities over Covid health concerns. In China many events have been canceled in multiple cities.  <br />''<br />''A notable exception is Australia, which welcomed 2022 with,  traditional spectacular fireworks over Sydney Harbor. Its Trans-Tasman neighbour New Zealand also celebrated New year with a light show, illuminating the Sky Tower and Harbour Bridge in Auckland.<br />''<br />''In Russia, fireworks exploded over the  St. Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin in Moscow.  In Sri Lanka, midnight fireworks were seen over the skyline in Colombo. </span><br />