Sea of people celebrate New Year in Wuhan amidst China's Covid fear

Amid China's Covid wave, thousands of people gathered in Wuhan to celebrate the New Year after the authorities rolled back its stringent "zero-Covid" policy. As per the tradition people released balloons into the sky when the clock struck 12.

Thousands thronged to the streets in central Wuhan to count down to the start of what many hoped would be a much better year after a turbulent 2022 filled with lockdowns and in December a major new outbreak of the coronavirus. Credit: Reuters Photo

Many released balloons into the sky when the clocks struck midnight, as per tradition in the central Chinese city where the pandemic began three years ago, before grabbing selfies with their friends. Credit: Reuters Photo

Some came in fancy dress and almost everyone present wore masks as the country sees a wave of Covid which accelerated after curbs were dropped and which has since infected large swathes of the population with deaths now reaching an estimated 9000 a day according to UK-based health data firm Airfinity. Credit: AFP Photo

The crowds, who were especially tightly packed in front of the old clock tower at Wuhan’s Hankou Customs House, were watched by large numbers of police officers, SWAT, unidentified plain-clothed personnel, and other security workers. Credit: Reuters Photo

People release balloons as they gather to celebrate New Year's Eve, amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, in Wuhan. Credit: Reuters Photo

Revellers attend a New Year celebration in Wuhan, in China. Credit: AFP Photo

Visitors throng a shopping complex on New Year's Eve, amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak in China. Credit: Reuters Photo

Revellers fly balloons during a New Year celebration in Wuhan, in China. Credit: AFP Photo