Fort Lauderdale wants people to celebrate the new year — from their couches.
The city is holding its fireworks celebration virtually to follow CDC guidelines and to encourage people to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
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"We decided a couple of months ago that we really weren't going to be in a place that we were ready for a large public gathering," said Fort Lauderdale City Manager Chris Lagerbloom. "And ultimately, we decided that the best way for this year, like we've done so many things, was to do something virtually."
The push to stay home comes as Broward County's positivity rate spiked this week and just 18 percent of adult ICU hospital beds are available countywide.
"The coronavirus doesn't go away at midnight," Lagerbloom continued. "Please be safe and let's just be responsible this year and do it from home."
The virtual city event will start at 11 p.m. with live music by the Shane Duncan Band. It will end after the 3-to-5 minute-long fireworks display and the New Year's countdown, where the city will drop the large anchor — lit up with LED lights.
You can watch on the city's social media pages: Facebook, Youtube, or on your TV: on Comcast Channel 78 or AT&T U- Verse Channel 99.
If you do choose to leave home — the countywide curfew in Broward is in effect starting at 1 a.m.
