New Year's celebrations around the world dampened by Omicron

Fireworks are seen over Sydney harbour during New Year's Eve celebrations on January 01, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images

A New Year's Eve dampened by Covid-19 may not be unprecedented but it is certainly unwelcome.

For the second year, New Year's celebrations around the globe will be muted as the latest variant rapidly spreads across the continents.