Virus experts warn against ‘creepy’ New Year tradition

Victorians are being urged to tone down New Year’s Eve celebrations by avoiding smooching, hugging and huddling with strangers.

Health experts have warned New Year's Eve revellers to keep their tongues to themselves and avoid smooching, hugging and huddling with strangers, as Covid cases continue to soar.

With thousands of Victorians planning to send off a year full of lockdowns in style on December 31, leading epidemiologists have urged people to exercise “tiny wise decisions”.

Epidemiologist Nancy Baxter said the collective actions of Victorians would determine “how bad this outbreak gets” with the Omicron variant circulating in the community.

Professor Baxter said people should consider inviting less people to house parties, or avoid party hopping on the night to minimise exposure.

“It’s better to not go at all, or to watch the fireworks from the car, but if you do go, make a wise decision and wear masks outdoors because you won’t be socially distanced,” she said.

“If everyone takes a little extra caution, it helps protect everyone. It’s up to us as to how high our case numbers get. We know they’re going to get high, but we can make sure they don’t get eye-wateringly high.”

Experts are advising against marking the start of the New Year with a kiss.

One of the key ways to avoid a rapid spike is to ditch the famous midnight kiss, experts said.

“It depends on who you’re kissing,” Professor Baxter laughed. “It’s a bit of a creepy tradition, but I’d say only kiss people that you would normally be kissing.”

Former World Health epidemiologist Adrian Esterman said face masks needed to be a New Years essential.

“If both parties wear a face mask when they kiss, we’ll be pretty safe,” he joked.

“I suggest people take it easy this year. We will certainly see a massive explosion of case numbers after New Year's Eve and the only thing to avoid that would be to ban the night which isn’t politically popular.”

Despite the warnings, thousands of Victorians and tourists alike are still expected to descend upon Melbourne’s CBD to watch the famous firework displays.

But punters are warned it will not be the usual pre-Covid spectacle with people lined along the banks of the Yarra to watch the sky light up at midnight, with Melbourne City Council only offering ticketed events to control the crowds.

There will also be no rooftop fireworks in Melbourne’s CBD this year.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said only a small number of tickets remained available across the council’s four celebration zones including at Docklands, Flagstaff Gardens, Alexandra Gardens and Treasury Gardens.

Unclaimed tickets were released online on December 20 on a first-in basis, with Ticketek's website saying the events were “no longer on sale”.

The Sunday Herald Sun understands about 50,000 people will also usher in the new year at pubs and clubs across the city, with many venues sold out well in advance.

Public transport will be free from 6pm on New Year’s Eve until 6am on New Year’s Day, with police promising to be out in force.

“Police will be highly visible in the Melbourne CBD and in Victorian towns, coastlines and popular holiday destinations as revellers welcome in the new year,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.

“There will be a strong and dedicated police presence on roads, public transport network and at New Year’s Eve events right across the state to ensure it is a safe night for all.”

Residents in Melbourne’s inner suburbs and regional Victoria are set to attend local events hosted by councils, with some featuring fireworks displays, food and live music.

In Geelong, partygoers can enjoy free fireworks displays on Geelong Waterfront, with fireworks to be discharged from a barge on Corio Bay at 9.30pm.

In Dandenong Park on Lonsdale St, there will also be a fireworks display at 9pm, with the main city spectacle to run for nearly 10 minutes from 11.58pm.

Cr Capp said: “This is a New Year’s Eve like no other, befitting of a year like no other. We’ve booked Australia’s largest ever drone swarm spectacular to help us celebrate the end of 2021.”