Muted New Year celebrations for second year in row

Indians wearing face masks to help curb the spread of the coronavirus welcome 2022 in Ahmedabad. India saw increased restrictions introduced on December 31 as officials cautioned people against celebrations. Photo: AP/Ajit Solanki

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

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