The New Year's celebration continued in several parts of the city, undeterred by soaring Covid-19 case numbers
Updated 5 years ago · Published on 01 Jan 2021 3:50PM
Despite the record number of daily Covid-19 cases reported yesterday, the Bukit Bintang area was crowded with pedestrians ringing in the new year. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, January 1, 2021
by Sairien Nafis
KUALA LUMPUR – Despite the country logging the highest daily Covid-19 cases on New Year’s eve, Malaysians were keen to usher in 2021 with gusto.
The 2,525 new cases announced yesterday did not deter the crowd as they thronged popular attractions here with family and friends without adhering to basic health SOPs.
While heavy traffic was reported in the Bukit Bintang area, it was markedly different in Dataran Merdeka, which was closed to the public.
Heavy traffic was also seen on roads leaving the city as they headed to their hometowns, taking advantage of the long weekend break.
Police spent their New Year’s eve issuing warnings to the public, dispersing crowds and even arresting violators.
Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had on Wednesday warned against public celebrations and gatherings on New Year's eve.
The Vibes' SAIRIEN NAFIS captures the city on the last day of 2020. – The Vibes, January 1, 2021
Police hard at work monitoring city folk bent on ushering in the new year in Kuala Lumpur last night. – The Vibes pic, January 1, 2021A DBKL officer ordering a food truck to close near the city's River of Life. – The Vibes pic, January 1, 2021Traffic backed up behind the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur mall. – The Vibes pic, January 1, 2021While other areas saw crowds of people celebrating the end of 2020, Dataran Merdeka was closed to visitors. – The Vibes pic, January 1, 2021A man taking a breather in front of a mural of the city in the capital last night. – The Vibes pic, January 1, 2021Passersby stopping to take in the atmosphere at KL's River of Life on the last day of 2020. – The Vibes pic, January 1, 2021Amid celebrations at the River of Life, a man tosses his umbrella into the air. – The Vibes pic, January 1, 2021Physical-distancing measures fell by the wayside as KL folk thronged tourist attractions in KL's Golden Triangle. – The Vibes pic, January 1, 2021Enforcement officers overseeing pedestrians in Bukit Bintang. – The Vibes pic, January 1, 2021While many were wearing masks, there was little social distancing on display in Bukit Bintang yesterday. – The Vibes pic, January 1, 2021Pedestrians visiting popular shopping locales in Bukit Bintang last night. – The Vibes pic, January 1, 2021
![[PHOTOS] KL rings in the new year](https://media.thevibes.com/images/uploads/covers/_large/31122020_-_KUL_-_The_crowd_in_Bukit_Bintang_area_during_New_Year_eve_-_Sairien19.jpg)
