Times Square deserted as New York welcomes 2021 amid pandemic 2 minutes read New York, Jan 1 (efe-epa).- Breaking almost a century-old tradition of raucous celebrations, New York welcomed New Year at midnight on Thursday with the Times Square practically deserted. There were a handful of essential workers and the police officers deployed in the area, who were the only ones to witness the dropping of the iconic and enormous ball. New Yorkers responded to the New York Police Department’s instructions to not turn up at Times Square for the New Year celebrations that usually continue into the early hours of Jan.1.