Emergency lights and sirens mark New Year

Emergency medics and first responders in the Republic of Cyprus sounded their sirens at midnight on New Year’s Eve, marking the end of a rough year that brought the coronavirus pandemic.

In a video re-posted by Reaction Cyprus, a non-governmental organization and social advocate group, ambulances with their emergency lights showing joined the final countdown and sounded their sirens to welcome the New Year.

“People on the front line within our Cyprus’ healthcare system chose a lovely way to ring in the New Year,” the post said.

“The first responders from Ambulance Services had an awesome message. Stay strong, we thank you,” Reaction wrote.

According to Kathimerini Cyprus, medics on the front lines took the lead in the fight against the spread of coronavirus during the early stages of the pandemic, earning the respect of the public.

President Nicos Anastasiades on Thursday evening expressed his deep gratitude for “heroes on the front line” in his New Year’s Eve address, adding that elected politicians “owe to the people” to pass crucial reforms in the new year.