A subdued New Year's Eve ahead for many countries around the world

Police on patrol at Berlin's Brandenburg gate, where no crowds will be allowed for New Year's Eve Source: AAP

The WHO is urging the world to unite to defeat COVID-19 in 2021, a year after the first cases were reported.

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For health and support measures currently in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in your language, visit sbs.com.au/coronavirus