Hanoi cancels Lunar New Year events over Covid fears

Thee municipal People's Committee also announced Friday that not just public events, the capital will also suspend all unnecessary large gatherings during Tet , the most important Vietnamese festival, falls early February this year.

It advised that residents continue to adhere to pandemic prevention and control measures. Elderly people and those with underlying medical conditions should to limit participation in crowded activities, it said.

It said that the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports will coordinate with related agencies to organize the third World Cup qualifying match between Vietnam and China on Feb. 1, ensuring security and safety, strictly complying with Covid prevention measures.

Hanoi had previously approved a proposal for 20,000 fans to watch the game live.

The city had already announced cancellation of the usual Lunar New Year’s Eve firework display at the Thong Nhat Park.

Hanoi has recorded around 3,000 new daily Covid-19 cases in the past two weeks, and consistently topped the country in the daily tally. It has recorded nearly 103,000 Covid-19 cases in the fourth coronavirus wave so far.