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Written by: Lao Minyi, Zhang Jiamin, Zheng Cuibi
2020-12-31 20:38
Last update date: 2020-12-31 20:38
Affected by the new crown pneumonia epidemic and a strong cold wave, the New Year's Eve firework countdown event was cancelled. The picture of "explosion" on both sides of the Victoria Harbour is no longer. This year's New Year's Eve has become different.
A reporter from "Hong Kong 01" observed on both sides of the Victoria Harbour. At the beginning of the night, the waterfront area in Central was very deserted. The Central Ferris wheel was affected by the epidemic and there were only sporadic public picnics in Tamar Park.
On the contrary, the waterfront of Tsim Sha Tsui and the shopping malls are very lively. People are "checking in" with the lighting and the Victoria Harbour, but most of them say they will go home tonight and count down. They think there is no festive atmosphere this year, and hope that the epidemic will go away and normal in the new year life.
"Hong Kong 01" will be broadcast live on both sides of the Victoria Harbour.
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In the afternoon, dozens of uniformed police officers patrolled the vicinity of Harbour City. At least 8 police cars were parked. People flow control was also implemented at the location outside the Hong Kong Cultural Center.
Some newspaper employees pointed out that this year's business was not so good. Today, balloons and headdresses with LED lights are being sold at prices ranging from 40 to 80 yuan.
Even if there are no fireworks this year, she estimates that the flow of people will not be too small tonight, and there will still be some business "to help".
The Yang couple, who married today, wear masks to take pictures with relatives and friends in the cold wind.
Mrs. Yang, who works as a teacher, thinks that the experience this year is unforgettable. The biggest change is to change to online classes. She hopes to take advantage of the last day to celebrate and have a "special wedding."
"It's difficult to pass the customs," she thinks it is enough to simply eat with relatives and friends after the epidemic.
Many people are shopping in Harbour City
There are more people outside Chanel on Canton Road, including Mr. Li's family of three.
Mr. Li said that at the anniversary, he specially asked his daughter to "help scare the eyes" and choose gifts for his wife, saying with a smile that "a reasonable price range is enough."
Wearing a Christmas mask, he believes that there is no holiday atmosphere in the street. He hopes to add a little atmosphere to the mask. He also hopes that the new year will not have to wear a mask, his daughter can go to school, and he no longer needs to work at home.
There is also a long queue outside a dessert shop in Harbour City. Ms. Chen and Ms. Hong met on the last day of this year. It is estimated that it will take half an hour to line up, and they will have to finish eating before the night market ban.
They believe that there are more people in Tsim Sha Tsui today than expected, but there is no atmosphere, so they will go home to spend tonight, and they will not watch the countdown on TV.
Many citizens check in outside Harbour City.
(Photo by Lao Minyi)
As for the Supermarket City'super in Harbour City, the queues for payment are longer, and staff need to be sent to assist in crowd control. The deli area is even more crowded.
Ms. He spent about 500 yuan on a set meal and enjoyed it at home with her family.
She said that in previous years, she would find a restaurant for dinner with her family and count down after going home. This year, she has no choice but to stop eating and hope to resume all-day dining in the new year.
Mrs. Mai also spent nearly 500 yuan on cooked food. She thinks that there are more styles and western styles, and she will count down tonight watching TV with her husband.
On New Year's Eve on December 31, the area around the Central Ferris Wheel was very deserted.
(Photo by Zhang Jiamin)
Central Ferris wheel stopped and deserted along the waterfront
In the waterfront area of Central, the evening was very deserted, which was different from the lively atmosphere of the past New Year's Eve. The Central Ferris wheel was affected by the epidemic and was closed. About 10 police officers were present on patrol.
Ms. Leung and Ms. Liao met on the last day of 2020. As there is no dinning in the evening market, the two changed their appointment for lunch to celebrate. They said that there were not many people in Causeway Bay in the afternoon. "You can't wait for meals." The two said In the past, I would meet up with my big class friends to count down, but this year due to a limited gathering order and worrying about the increased risk of infection, I had to go home for dinner with my family.
The two had just graduated from university. Looking back on the past year, Ms. Liao said frankly that she "felt miserable", saying that the graduation ceremony was also cancelled and could only be held online.
Looking forward to the new year, they said that they hope the epidemic will end soon, "Don't ask me to wear masks again."
Couples change lunch to welcome the new year early
Mr. Gu took a picture with his girlfriend under the Ferris wheel. He said that he would go home to welcome the new year with his family at night due to the epidemic, and he would celebrate with his girlfriend with lunch instead.
He said that he was trapped at home on New Year's Eve and did not dare to invite friends to spend the festive season. "It's boring, and there is no good holiday atmosphere." He hopes that Hong Kong will improve in the new year. "Everyone can smile back."
There were sporadic public picnics in Tamar Park. Mr. Wu celebrated the birthday of his friends. As the epidemic was not over, no restaurant was ordered to celebrate.
He said that under the epidemic, the holiday atmosphere is not good. "There is no dinner, everyone can count down the house, and there are no fireworks." In the new year, he hopes that the epidemic will end as soon as possible, and Hong Kong will have a political and social atmosphere. So it got better, "It’s been so bad for two years."
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