PARIS, Dec 18 — Paris has cancelled planned fireworks as well as festivities on the Champs Elysees avenue on New Year’s Eve in line with new government rules to prevent the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant, BFM TV reported today.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex said yesterday major public parties and fireworks would be banned on New Year’s Eve and recommended that people — even if vaccinated — take a Covid-19 self-test before getting together for year-end parties. — Reuters