The NSW Government has today outlined arrangements for a COVID-Safe New Year’s Eve fireworks and updated its advice on COVID-Safe restrictions for the Northern Beaches and Greater Sydney.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said today’s decision was necessary based on the latest health advice and the evolving Northern Beaches cluster.
“My strong message to everyone in Greater Sydney this year is to watch the fireworks on TV,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We are also asking for a little more time from residents to help us stamp out this outbreak, especially if they live on the Northern Beaches.”
The following arrangements will be introduced from midnight tonight (Monday, December 28):
For New Year’s Eve Celebrations:
The CBD frontline worker fireworks vantage point offering is cancelled. Frontline workers will be offered another opportunity in 2021.
For the Northern Beaches peninsula zone (North of Narrabeen Bridge, and east of the Baha’i Temple), the following rules apply until January 9:
The health situation remains volatile and the current restrictions will remain in place to supress community transmission.
However, indoor and outdoor gatherings will be allowed for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day but will be restricted to five visitors in total from within your zone (and includes at homes).
Current arrangements allowing five people to gather outdoors (not at homes) for exercise and recreation, from within the same zone, continues.
No restaurants, cafes, pubs or clubs (except for takeaway) will be permitted to open, including for New Year’s Eve.
For the remainder (southern zone) of the Northern Beaches, the following rules apply until January 2:
The health situation remains volatile and the current restrictions will remain in place to supress community transmission.
However, indoor and outdoor gatherings will be allowed for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day but will be restricted to 10 visitors in total from within your zone (and includes at homes).
Current arrangements allowing 10 people to gather outdoors (not at homes) for exercise and recreation, from within the same zone, continues.
No restaurants, cafes, pubs or clubs (except for takeaway) will be permitted to open, including for New Year’s Eve.
For Greater Sydney, Central Coast and Wollongong the following rules apply:
Gatherings in the home remain at 10 visitors in total (including children).
Outside gatherings (such as picnics) will be restricted to 50 people in total (down from 100).
For regional NSW there is no change to current arrangements.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the efforts of residents, particularly those in the Northern Beaches, are paying off.
“This hasn’t been an easy Christmas period, but our contact tracers have been able to get on top of this outbreak and the number of new cases remains low,” Mr Hazzard said.
People with confirmed bookings in the CBD for the NYE fireworks should contact their respective restaurants and bars for further information now that venues will need to adhere to the one person per four square metre rule.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the NSW Government recognised that many businesses around Circular Quay relied on NYE customers as one of the biggest nights of the year.
“New Year’s Eve is the chance for Sydney and NSW to shine on the world stage. Despite being a smaller celebration to normal, this New Year’s demonstrates NSW will bring in 2021 with confidence,” said Mr Ayres.
Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said NSW Health has worked hard to make COVID-Safe celebrations possible but it is important that the community continues to follow COVID-Safe practices, stay at home if unwell and get tested, wear a mask and follow good hand hygiene and physical distancing.
“Everyone needs to continue to be alert to the ongoing risk of transmission and to keep practising physical distancing and good hand hygiene, and most importantly to get tested and isolate if they feel unwell,” Dr Chant said.
Media Release: New South Wales Government – The Premier
The ABC will welcome in the new year by partnering with Lifeline and Kids Helpline in a joint appeal to help fund frontline services and crisis support. The annual New Year’s Eve broadcast, live from the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl, will bring communities together for a night of music, fun and fireworks.
Lifeline and Kids Helpline are the leading providers of crisis support and suicide prevention in Australia, with over 1 million Australians reaching out each year; this demand for counselling services has increased during the coronavirus pandemic. Together, we can help raise funds to provide connection and hope for the thousands of people who call both services every minute, so no person in Australia needs to face their darkest moments alone.
Hosts Zan Rowe and Charlie Pickering will be driving the callout for donations as they host our We Are One Live Concert, live from the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl starring some of Australia’s top performers including Paul Kelly & Friends, Amy Shark, DMA’s, Vera Bluey, Teskey Brothers, Casey Donovan, Odette and Ben Lee. Before they rock the main stage, families can enjoy the New Year’s Eve Early Night Show hosted by Rove McManus, Kiki Masella and Chenelle Carr who will present a variety show with everything you need to get the party started from the comfort of your own home.
Director of ABC Regional & Local, Judith Whelan said, “I think many of us are looking forward to farewelling 2020. It’s been a very tough year for so many Australians and this partnership with Lifeline and Kids Helpline gives us all the chance to show support where it is most needed. The ABC has put together a terrific show to see out the year. I know our audiences will enjoy the great line-up of Australian talent and I hope everyone will dig deep to help those most in need.”
Lifeline Australia’s CEO, Colin Seery said, “More people have been reaching out for support this year, than at any other time in our 57-year history. As we stay up to watch the fireworks this New Year’s Eve, our Crisis Supporters will be on-shift, answering calls and keeping people safe. It’s our hope that Australian’s will rally behind the ABC in their support of Lifeline and Kids Helpline to help us ensure that each and every night, there is someone there to take the call from a person who needs our support.”
yourtown CEO, Tracy Adams said, “Our Kids Helpline service continues to experience increased demand, it is critical that we are able to respond to children and young people in the moment that they need help. As we embark on a new year we don’t expect to see a decline any time soon, in fact, as Australia rebuilds, the need for counselling and support services will only continue. We share a commitment with Lifeline of being there when we are needed at any time.
Funds raised on the night will enable Lifeline and Kids Helpline to keep providing lifesaving crisis counselling to Australians in need and support frontline services – helping more people to answer more calls.
Donations can be made via Lifeline and Kids Helpline online at: nye2020donate.com or by calling: 1800 950 748
The full live concert will be broadcast to Australia via ABC TV, ABC iview and from 10pm AEDT will also be simulcast on ABC Radio. The rest of the world can watch the concert via ABC Australia and ABC Online. The ABC will also broadcast an audio description of the fireworks.
8.30pm New Year’s Eve Early Night Show
9.05pm Welcome to Country
9.10pm We are One Live Concert
12.00am Midnight Fireworks
Media Release: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
For many Australians, 2020 has been a challenging year. In a time of great uncertainty, one thing is assured, the ABC will unite all Australians in saying goodbye to 2020 and celebrating across the country. The theme for the evening is We Are One and broadcasting the annual New Year’s Eve show live from the Opera House in Sydney and Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl, the ABC will bring us all together for a night of music, fun and fireworks.
Kicking off at 8:30pm is a special family-friendly variety show hosted by Rove McManus, Kiki Masella (Grace Beside Me) and Chenelle Carr featuring a fireworks display of highlights from years gone by. Later in the evening, hosts Zan Rowe and Charlie Pickering will introduce a stunning line-up of Aussie talent and musical performances.
Headlining the musical entertainment from Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, we’ll be joined by legend Paul Kelly performing a concert length set of songs from his beloved catalogue with some very special guests. From the Sydney Opera House, indie-pop singer-songwriter Amy Shark will take to the stage fresh from her ARIA win. Joining the night’s line-up after releasing one of the biggest albums of the year are indie rockers, the DMA’S and the Sydney Harbour backdrop will be the perfect setting for folk-electro singer Vera Blue’s graceful tones. Blues-rock band the Teskey Brothers will then serenade their hometown of Melbourne with their sublime soul sound. Reigning queen of New Year’s Eve Casey Donovan returns for what has become an annual tradition and there will be a heartfelt tribute to Helen Reddy from rising star Odette. Multi-instrumentalist Ben Lee will open the concert by reminding us we’re all in this together.
At midnight, and in collaboration with NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, the night sky will light up with a live firework display as we say goodbye to 2020 and welcome to the New Year.
A limited audience will join us at the Sydney Opera House. This “local hero” audience is made up of people nominated by their community as having made a real difference through these tough times. Nominate your local hero here: ab.co/nyehero
To enjoy the ABC’s New Year’s Eve 2020 celebrations:
Watch the entire event starting at 8.30pm on ABC TV or ABC iview. (The NYE early night show (8.30pm – 9.05pm) will also be broadcast on ABC ME). It will also be available on ABC Radio online via the individual ABC radio homepages or the ABC listen app (the NYE concert will be simulcast from 10pm AEDT across ABC radio).
Overseas viewers can watch the live concert via ABC Australia, the ABC Australia iview app and on ABC Radio online via the individual ABC radio homepages (the NYE concert will be simulcast from 10pm AEDT across ABC radio).
Media Release: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The New South Wales (NSW) Government has today outlined arrangements for the New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the changes will give residents a chance to prepare for and embrace end of year activities.
2020 has been a tough year for everyone and we want people to be able to look forward to the festive season in a COVID-Safe way
Premier Gladys Berejiklian
The Premier also announced NSW will bring in 2021 with a 7-minute midnight new Year’s Eve fireworks display and premium viewing spots reserved only for frontline workers to say thank you for keeping NSW safe throughout this year.
Unless you have a New Year’s Eve Pass through Service NSW you will not be able to enter designated zones around Circular Quay, North Sydney and the City.
The vast majority of citizens will not be allowed into the Sydney CBD precinct.
New Public Health Orders will be drafted to support COVID-Safe New Year’s Eve celebrations including:
Premium spots reserved for frontline workers around Mrs Macquarie’s Point, Sydney Opera House, Campbell’s Cove and the Cahill Expressway.
A special area around Circular Quay and North Sydney will only be accessible to venue patrons, hospitality workers, residents and guests of residents who will be required to carry a special NYE Pass from Service NSW.
In addition, from Monday, 23 November the following restrictions will be eased:
Increased capacity for outdoors singing:
Up to 30 singers will be permitted outdoors, subject to COVID-safe requirements (the limit of 5 remains for indoor venues). The audience or congregation may participate in the singing, but anyone 12 years or older must wear a mask.
Increased capacity for controlled outdoor events (such as concerts) that are ticketed and held in an enclosed or fenced area:
Up to 3000 people can attend with 1 person per 2 square metres if assigned a seat, or 1 person per 4 square metres if seated in an allocated seated area (e.g. where the grass is marked or on picnic rugs).
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said meeting up outdoors is the best way to stay COVID-safe this festive season.
After an exceptionally challenging year, we want everyone to have the opportunity to celebrate and make the most of summer and get outdoors said.
Mr Hazzard
Minister For Jobs, Investment, Tourism & Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres, said the NSW Government recognised that many businesses around Circular Quay relied on NYE customers as one of the biggest nights of the year.
New Year’s Eve is the chance for Sydney and NSW to shine on the world stage. Despite being a smaller celebration to normal, this New Years demonstrates that we are open for business and NSW will bring in 2021 with confidence
Mr Ayres
Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said NSW Health recognises the importance of the festive season and has worked hard to make COVID-Safe celebrations possible.
Everyone needs to continue to be alert to the ongoing risk of transmission and to keep practising physical distancing and good hand hygiene, and most importantly to get tested and isolate if they feel unwell
Dr Chant
Find out more information in relation to New Year’s Eve.
Sydney has commemorated Qantas Airways’ 100-year anniversary by lighting up its iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge as a larger-than-life birthday cake complete with illuminated candles that were blown out by a Qantas 787 as it did a low level overfly at 1,500 feet.
More than 1,300 LED tubes, 126 LED fixtures and 38 searchlights lit up the full expanse of the world’s most famous bridge in the ultimate tribute from Sydney, the city which has been home to Qantas for more than eight decades. The projection of 60 historic images and two, 65-metre high birthday candles onto the southern and northern pylons completed the transformation, creating a birthday moment like no other.
NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres described the bridge tribute lighting extravaganza show culminating in the fly over as fitting recognition for one of the world’s longest continuously operating airlines.
“Sydney has benefited immensely from 100 successful years of business for Qantas – from bringing visitors to the state and boosting our visitor economy to providing local jobs,” Minister Ayres said.
“What better way to mark such an important milestone for Qantas than with a celebration in the city it has chosen as its headquarters for the last 82 years involving another much loved Sydney icon, the Harbour Bridge.”
Almost 200 passengers, including 100 Qantas staff, were on board the 100-minute flight which was a special Centenary Scenic Flight to mark the airline’s 100th year. The spectacular candleblowing lights off moment was a surprise for not just those on the ground, but also those on board the flight which also took in showcased Sydney Harbour, HARS Aviation Museum in Shellharbour and Rose Bay – where Qantas Flying Boats were used in the 1930s and ‘40s.
Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer, Alan Joyce said Qantas was honoured to receive such a special and spectacular Centenary birthday show from Sydney.
“Qantas aircraft have been flying over Sydney Harbour Bridge for decades, so this was a spectacular way to mark our anniversary. It’s been a tough year for tourism but as more domestic borders open up, we’re ready to put more aircraft back in the air and bring people to see all that New South Wales has to offer,” he said.
The activation, executed by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, complements a new campaign of activity designed to support the recovery of Sydney hospitality and tourism businesses.
Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer, Steve Cox said the Qantas Centenary provided an opportunity to send out a message of hope, both to Sydney businesses and to residents of Sydney and New South Wales.
“Sydney continues to shine as brightly as ever, with tourism businesses steadily reopening and operating in a COVID-safe environment, putting the wellbeing of visitors first. This stunt was just the beginning of what will be a truly amazing line-up of events coming up across the city, and we are looking forward to welcoming visitors from across Australia to Sydney this summer” said Mr Cox.
We know for sure a minute’s silence at 9pm (and probably Midnight as well as the pandemic is highly likely to enter into 2021) & a donation appeal is deserving as it goes with the 2004 precedent.
A donation appeal could be with the World Health Organisation’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund (regrets to the Refugee Council Of Australia – the event’s official charity partner – for having less attention for a 2nd year in a row). As of writing, the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund has raised $233,859,565.
Attendance
However, with the Federal Tourism Minister saying international borders remain closed until next year, Sydney NYE 2020’s attendance, if it is held, will be halved as international tourists make up half of the event’s attendance nowadays.
In recent years, the event has had an attendance of 1 million people (down from a peak of 2 million in 2015) so half of that – 500,000 – is about the attendance levels of the early 2000’s so unless a larger than recent domestic audience shows up, finding a great vantage point is double as easy to find this time. Ticketed events may also suffer as well as Sydney businesses who may rely on the international tourism Sydney NYE generates.
However, COVID-19 restrictions regarding capacity & spacing may result in an attendance way lower than 500,000.
COVID-19
But will the event even be held?
The event has only been cancelled once, for 2 consecutive years in 1987 after a mass murder in The Rocks culminated the building violence since the event’s 1976 inauguration. Those 2 NYE’s were replaced by a larger fireworks display for the Bicentennial Of European Settlement in 1988. Fireworks were resumed in 1989 but at an earlier time of 9pm before the return of the Midnight display in 1996. The successful 2000 Olympic bid, awarded in 1993, provided the stimulus to make what was then a small community event into an international icon, which was at the Millennium edition when the Midnight Fireworks returned as the main show after 13 years in the background (including 2 ‘offstage’).
The biggest problem is people leaving the event as that is when most people are moving. 500,000 all at once most likely to crowded public transport (or with a bit of a delay if on a cruise) could be produce a spike in cases. The event itself, which is actually held between 7pm & Midnight could also contribute to a spike in cases as crowds would be sedentary for 5 hours (or longer if they arrive in the morning or queue days prior).
Global Image
Sydney is in the southern hemisphere meaning NYE is in the summer down here. Most cities celebrate NYE in the winter as they are in the Northern Hemisphere, meaning COVID-19 could rise in most of major cities around the world on NYE. Rio de Janeiro is the next iconic NYE event in the Southern Hemisphere. However, Brazil has had a terrible run of COVID-19 cases since May.
If Sydney went ahead, due to it’s world famous prestige, it may look insensitive to these other countries suffering as we enter 2021.
The City Of Sydney is the official organiser of the event working with the New South Wales Government via a regularly updated 5-year Memorandum Of Understanding.
Even if they did a small fireworks display, this will not stop the crowds. Just look at Sydney NYE’s history.
Earlier, we referred to the only cancellation of Sydney NYE in 1987 & 1988. This was due to a mass murder in The Rocks in 1986. The cancellation announcement we understand was made in March 1987, so you can forgive the cruise operators below if they forget about what was a small community event at the time being cancelled 9 months earlier, but we got news articles like this:
Aubin, T 1987, ‘Why the New Year won’t begin with a bang’, Sydney Morning Herald, 22 December, p. 1.
And this was BEFORE the event was world famous.
If Sydney NYE is held publicly, in it’s now world famous state, in terrible COVID-19 conditions, we believe this will not stop people acting like in 1987.
Like we’ve said many times before on this blog, Sydneysiders hate their events being cancelled. We just can’t cope!
Despite the article saying the cancellation was made in 1986, a February 2 1987 article from the Sydney Morning Herald, shows Stephen Hall, director of the Festival Of Sydney (and thus, New Year’s Eve) from the inaugural 1976 edition to 1994, was considering examining whether to hold NYE1987 as late as early February 1987 and not in 1986 as stated in the December 22 article:
Costa, L 1987, ‘Bard for the people is Festival ‘dream”, Sydney Morning Herald, 2 February, p. 2.
Notably, as you can read in the article, even though the fireworks were located for the 1st time to multiple points on NYE (there were 2 – Mortlake Point (10km from Sydney Harbour Bridge) & Tania Park (7km from Sydney Harbour Bridge)), it did not stop violence in the Sydney Central Business District, particularly in The Rocks, as well as the deaths of 6 people in total, heaps faraway from the official fireworks locations. After a decade of growing violence, a death, let alone 6, was the final straw leading to the event’s cancellation in March 1987.
The 2-year cancellation created the Bicentennial Festival Of Sydney Australia Day Fireworks, which used the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s upper arch for the 1st time and utilised the 2-years worth of fireworks.
Sydney NYE returned in 1989 with only a fireworks display at 9pm called the Skyshow and since 1996, called the 9pm Family Fireworks under the current event title Sydney New Year’s Eve, as it was separated from the Festival Of Sydney the same year. The fireworks were brought 3 hours forward to make it more family-friendly and it worked as it is still part of the event today, a critical part it should be pointed out too.
Therefore, even if no event is held this year, a high police presence would be required to ensure no violence returns as prior to 1989.
The Midnight Fireworks were officially brought make as a small show on NYE1996 before returning as the main show to welcome in the new Millennium in that iconic show ending in Eternity.
The Festival Of Sydney since the mid-1990’s has been called the Sydney Festival and still runs today (well, 2021, we’ll have to wait & see).
So how should we party on NYE2020?
No doubt, it has to reflect the year 2020 – the year of COVID-19, whilst looking forward to what we like our future to be in 2021. Sydney has the ability to do something like this in an iconic way but it might have to involve no crowds or little publicity. But a massive event with little publicity would probably not be held – it would have to be small-scale in some way still with little publicity. Sydney can do it but they need a high police presence even with no ‘official’ crowds to ensure violence does not break out – we’ll have to wait and see what the plans are – but Sydney Spectaculars believes the event (whether held by the Harbour or not) deserves 2 minutes of silence, 1 at 9pm & 1 crossing over at Midnight, as well as a focus on the World Health Organisation’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
Ever year, Sydney leads the world into the new year. This year, Sydney should represent the world into the new year. Like we’ve always said here at Sydney Spectaculars, since the Millennium, Sydney New Year’s Eve has become ‘The World’s Party’, with great universality. It’s broadcast could be on-sold to countries who can’t celebrate themselves on NYE and ensuring the funds raised to COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund have come from all around the world.
The event industry was the 1st industry to be affected by the pandemic and it will be the last to recover so hopefully at the end of this pandemic, Sydney will put on the biggest New Year’s Eve celebration yet to celebrate the end of one of the biggest global pandemics ever.
Wishing everyone good health for the future.
As of posting, Sydney New Year’s Eve 2020 has not been cancelled but extra-ordinary crowd restrictions have been flagged and more notably, it will not be “traditional” (that is, like an edition since the Millennium) by the New South Wales Tourism Minister, Stuart Ayres. The official organisers’, the City Of Sydney’s, Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, has said as of the 14th of August that cancellation is “a real possibility”.
Vivid Sydney – the Harbour City’s iconic celebration of lights, music and ideas – will return in August 2021.
The popular and award-winning event will bring creativity, innovation and excitement to Sydney in a COVID-safe manner for locals, visitors and global fans to enjoy, near or afar.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Vivid Sydney was an important cultural, social and economic beacon for NSW.
“Major events will play a critical role in stimulating the visitor economy and NSW’s broader COVID-19 recovery strategy,” Minister Ayres said.
“We’re cautiously optimistic that with a slight delay to regular scheduling, Vivid Sydney will be able to proceed as the bright, dynamic event we all know and love in August next year.
“There’s no doubt that all future events will need to make adjustments to be COVID – safe in line with NSW Health advice and reflect the changes we are experiencing in day-to-day life.
“Vivid Sydney has always celebrated and explored innovation and creativity, but more importantly brought joy to people who visit in person or who follow the media and social media coverage.
“We look forward to reigniting that excitement and passion within the artistic
community and our supporters, and creating tangible opportunities for the tourism industry by driving visitors to Sydney and NSW in a safe way.”
In 2019, a record 2.4 million people attended Vivid Sydney, generating $172 million in tourism expenditure.
Further details about Vivid Sydney 2021 will be shared later in 2020.
Join Australia unplugged and online tonight as we switch off for Earth Hour.
A huge line-up of Aussie musicians and comedians will come together to present a livestream for the planet tonight, as landmarks around Australia switch off their lights for Earth Hour at 8.30pm local time.
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, WWF-Australia is hosting Earth Hour differently this year, giving Australians everywhere the chance to stay connected via a digital livestream – #EarthHourLive.
Australian musicians Montaigne, Cody Simpson, Jack River, Polish Club, Bobby Alu, Ella Haber, Dulcie and Alice Skye will perform as part of the livestream, hosted by journalist and broadcaster Patrick Abboud at 8.30pm AEDT.
#EarthHourLive will also feature appearances from acclaimed comedians Akmal, Georgie Carroll and The Stevenson Experience, along with footage of lights out in Sydney, special guests and giveaways.
“Staying connected as a community and looking for positive ways we can contribute is more important than ever as the world responds to the coronavirus crisis,” said WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O’Gorman.
While public Earth Hour events have been cancelled to prioritise community safety during the COVID-19 outbreak, landmarks around Australia including the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Luna Park, The Wheel of Brisbane, Melbourne Star Observation Wheel and The Bell Tower in Perth will still be switching off their lights in a symbolic moment.
More than 100 landmarks from across the world are also preparing to switch off to show their support for Earth Hour, including the Eiffel Tower, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Tokyo Skytree, Brandenburg Gate, the Colosseum in Rome, Taipei 101, the Petronas Twin Towers, the Ali Qapu Palace, the Akropolis, Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong and many more.
“The act of switching off our lights for Earth Hour has always been a show of solidarity for stronger action on climate and a chance for millions of people worldwide to collectively raise their voice for nature,” said Mr O’Gorman.
“This year will be dramatically different as we all strive to control the spread of COVID-19. Most of us will be spending tonight at home, but we can still connect to a community of supporters around Australia and be part of a positive moment for the planet.
“We’re thrilled to have so many incredible artists, musicians and comedians helping us to bring #EarthHourLive to Australia. We hope you’ll join us tonight to connect with a community of amazing people around Australia and show your support for Earth Hour in a whole new way.”
Switch off your lights at 8.30pm tonight and log in to join the #EarthHourLive stream on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram and at earthhour.org.au/earth-hour-live.
To sign up to Earth Hour visit: https://www.earthhour.org.au
In the midst of the global COVID-19 health crisis, Earth Hour marks a moment of solidarity for the planet as global communities unite and organize events digitally.
Several countries prepare to organize Earth Hour virtually to ensure public safety and show solidarity for those affected by COVID-19
Celebrities, environmentalists and nation heads unite and pledge their support online for nature and people
27 March 2020, Singapore – On Saturday, 28 March, Earth Hour, one of the world’s largest grassroots movements for the environment, will once again inspire individuals, businesses and organizations in over 180 countries and territories to renew their commitment to the planet.
In the midst of the global COVID-19 health crisis, Earth Hour marks a moment of solidarity for the planet as global communities unite and organize events digitally.
With nature loss continuing unabated, Earth Hour 2020 draws attention to the immediate need for halting nature and biodiversity loss for our health and well-being. The global moment comes ahead of world leaders scheduled to take critical decisions on nature, climate change and development. Earth Hour marks a pivotal opportunity for civil society members, citizens, nation heads, CEOs and environmentalists to demonstrate the need for a New Deal for Nature & People by pledging their support at Voice for the Planet.
Marco Lambertini, Director General, WWF International, said, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives from the COVID-19 outbreak and our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones or who are sick. In this hour of crisis, we need to unite now more than ever to safeguard our future and the future of our planet. It is a time for solidarity and a time to respond to challenges more creatively and work more collaboratively, which is why Earth Hour is being marked through digital events across the globe.
Nature is the lifeline for the 7.6 billion people inhabiting planet Earth. It underpins our societies and economies and is one of our greatest allies in combating the climate crisis. But today nature is failing like never before. We are destroying the natural systems we rely on for our health and well-being faster than they can replenish themselves – jeopardizing our own survival and existence. Earth Hour 2020 offers a key opportunity for all of us to join millions of people to raise their voice for securing an international commitment to stop and reverse the loss of nature. In this challenging time, we must look after one another and the one home we all share – the imperative in making a difference for our collective future is now greater than ever.”
Greta Thunberg, climate and environmental activist, said, “Earth Hour for me is every hour of every day. The need to unite and protect our planet has never been greater. As we have been asked to avoid public gatherings to slow the spreading of the COVID-19 (coronavirus), I recommend everyone to come together virtually for #EarthHour to renew our commitment to the planet and use our voices to drive action online safely and responsibly.”
This Earth Hour, 28th March at 8:30pm, I urge you all to turn off the lights and use the hour to engage your online community to pledge support at Voice for the Planet.
We must look after one another and the one home we all share. Stand with me and millions around the world to make this Earth Hour a moment to show your united presence. Let us raise our collective voices online to help ensure a cleaner, safer and greener future for everyone.”
Starting as a symbolic ‘lights out’ event in 2007, Earth Hour has grown to become a true mass movement exemplifying the power of people in driving seismic changes. The spirit of Earth Hour was demonstrated recently in Uganda which announced a ban on plastic use following an Earth Hour lead-up march on 13 February against the ill-effects of plastic pollution.
This is not a stand-alone example. Earth Hour 2020 will see people from all across the globe raise their voice to invite action on pressing environmental issues in their countries. Unprecedented digital events will mobilize millions of people online to participate in Earth Hour as never before.
South Africa is launching a digital “Power to the People” campaign for a renewed focus on clean and reliable sources of energy. Singapore will be going fully digital for the first time ever- Earth Hour 2020 – Live & Unplugged, will be a live-streamed, digital-only performance bringing together Singapore’s diverse voices for the environment. Earth Hour Qatar is partnering with AYCM Qatar, Global Shapers Doha Hub and online platform AmpUp Videos that will allow people to record videos with Earth Hour filters and upload them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Nepal will see youth from all over the country come together digitally for Earth Hour to raise their #VoiceForThePlanet and share their thoughts, art and photography on the need to protect and appreciate nature. Australia is going unplugged and online via an #EarthHourLive stream with music acts, comedians and experts, in addition, Gold Coast- Reef Check Australia and Yogaventures are holding Switch off to Switch Off: Lights off in a Candlelight Yoga Nidra relaxation session to mark Earth Hour. Turkey will be hosting a digital campaign where they will prepare a declaration calling for action for nature.
People-led initiatives around the world like Earth Hour are vital to continue to inspire awareness on the importance of nature and prompt action to help deliver a nature positive world by the end of the decade.
About Earth Hour
Earth Hour is WWF’s flagship global environmental movement. Born in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour has grown to become one of the world’s largest grassroots movements for the environment, inspiring individuals, communities, businesses and organizations in more than 180 countries and territories to take tangible environmental action for over a decade. Historically, Earth Hour has focused on the climate crisis, but more recently, Earth Hour has strived to also bring the pressing issue of nature loss to the fore. The aim is to create an unstoppable movement for nature, as it did when the world came together to tackle climate change. The movement recognizes the role of individuals in creating solutions to the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges and harnesses the collective power of its millions of supporters to drive change.
Earth Hour is kindly supported by Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety with funding from the International Climate Initiative (IKI), as a part of the project “Scaling up Biodiversity Communication”.
About WWF
WWF is an independent conservation organization, with over 30 million followers and a global network active in nearly 100 countries. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Visit panda.org/news for the latest news and media resources; follow us on Twitter @WWF_media
It is Australia’s largest & most attended event, surpassing even the more iconic ‘Sydney New Year’s Eve’. Vivid Sydney begun in 2009 while Sydney New Year’s Eve begun in 1976, cancelled in 1987 & 1988 and became world famous at the turn of the Millennium.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports Tourism Minister, Stuart Ayres, said the NSW Government had not taken the decision to shut down Vivid Sydney lightly (pun we assume is not intended).
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Tourism Minister said:
We have taken the decision early in consideration of those planning to travel to Sydney for the festival
The Australian Government will later today clarify COVID-19 advice (particularly regarding events) that was given on Friday the 13th of March 2020.
Vivid Sydney was due to have it’s media launch on Tuesday. With the event no longer beginning on May 22, until late May 2021, it is then.
Also, expect potentially a formal announcement later today from the Tourism Minister and Vivid Sydney regarding the cancellation.
Sydney Spectaculars 
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