Muted festive celebrations across Asia amid fears of Omicron

A vendor tidying ornaments at a stall in the Sham Shui Po area of Hong Kong on Jan 30, 2022. - AFP

SEOUL (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): With fears of the highly infectious Omicron variant spreading rapidly, the authorities across Asia have urged people against travelling over the festive holidays to reunite with their families and celebrate the start of a new year.

Festive events, such as fairs and fireworks, have also been cancelled to prevent mass gatherings that could become hotbeds for infections, leaving those who gather to celebrate in muted fashion.