The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has indicated that, for the second year in a row, there will be no staging of its signature New Year’s Eve events, Fireworks on the Waterfront and Fireworks on the Bay.

The decision comes as the island continues to wrestle with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the looming threat of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.

The annual Fireworks on the Waterfront and Fireworks on the Bay, hosted respectively by the UDC and its subsidiary, St Ann Development Company (SADCo), are traditional events for families across the island to usher in the New Year.

According to the UDC, more than 300,000 persons usually gather along the Kingston Waterfront and Ocho Rios Bay Beach to witness the island’s stellar fireworks displays.

“These events have been the Corporation’s gift to the nation and its way of celebrating continued national development,” the UDC said.

“UDC is cognizant of the physical distancing and public gathering guidelines in place for public safety and supports the Government of Jamaica’s efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.

“The Corporation thanks the Jamaican public, sponsors and other stakeholders who have consistently supported Fireworks over the years and looks forward to the return of these well-loved events in the future.”