New Year's Eve celebrations in New York City's Times Square on Jan. 1 this year. Photo: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
This year's Times Square New Year's Eve celebrations in New York City will take place without a public audience in attendance as a precaution against the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers announced Tuesday.
Why it matters: It's the first time the event hasn't permitted people to gather in the square. The Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment said in a statement that the celebrations would still be broadcast on TV and online.
Of note: The world-famous ball drop will go ahead and Gloria Gaynor will perform her 1970s disco hit "I will survive."
What to expect: This event will recognize the "heroes of 2020" — people at the frontlines of the pandemic, including first responders, essential workers and their families, some of whom will attend as special guests.
- "All participants will remain masked at all times except when preforming and will adhere to distancing regulations throughout the production site," the statement notes.
Flashback: In photos: Cities around the world ring in the start of 2020