Rio bursting with tourists ahead of New Year's Eve

Brazil's Copacabana Beach was packed with tourists in the week leading up to New Year's Eve, despite the fast spread of a new COVID-19 variant that has curtailed new year events across the globe.

City officials will allow a massive fireworks display, which is expected to draw thousands to the crescent-shaped Copacabana Beach to celebrate the start of 2022. The local government still canceled other public celebrations and concerts aiming to reduce crowds.

The decision was made after initially announcing a complete cancellation of the celebrations earlier this month, which was later partially revised. Brazil has been the country with second-most deaths from the disease in the world, but infection rates have waned significantly in recent months.

Travelers arriving in Brazil must present a vaccine passport documenting they have been vaccinated against the coronavirus.