The Times Square, which sees a huge crowd each year, was deserted this time on New Year’s eve as it was closed to the public due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The quiet drop ball ceremony at Times Square has sent chills among people as the photos and video of the empty streets are going viral on the internet with people saying it ‘spooky’. 

From Jennifer Lopez to Pitbull and Andra Day, celebrities were announced to the Times Square stage, however, the lack of audience hit people witnessing the event online, leaving netizens abuzz.

Some social media users noticed how the event was ‘spooky,’ some said they had never expected to see the streets of Times Square so empty, while a user noted that the Times Square has never been empty since World War II on the New Year’s eve. 

See the New Year’s celebrations at Times Square here:

Here is how people reacted to COVID-struck new years celebrations at Times Square:

On New Year’s eve, only limited guests were invited and allowed for the drop ball event, which included health care workers, medical professionals. The area was largely barricaded by the New York police to prevent unauthorised entry at Times Square.