Health Ministry urges against Tet fireworks

It would be best if cities and provinces scrap firework displays on Lunar New Year's Eve to prevent Covid-19, the Ministry of Health has warned.

The pandemic is still developing complicatedly in Vietnam and many localities are still recording a high number of daily infections.

Besides, the fast-moving Omicron strain remains unpredictable globally. The ministry has warned earlier that the risk of the strain spreading in Vietnam is high and once that happens, it could overload the healthcare system as it has been confirmed to be more contagious than Delta.

Ho Chi Minh City had announced on Jan. 13 that it would not have its usual firework displays on New Year's Eve this year, and that other related activities might be suspended depending on the coronavirus situation.

Meanwhile, Hanoi will only light fireworks at one location, Thong Nhat Park in Dong Da District, on this occasion.

The ministry also urged people to strictly follow all protocols and guidance on Covid-19 prevention during the upcoming Lunar New Year, or Tet, which will last for nine days starting Jan. 29.

Local authorities should carefully evaluate the pandemic situation in each area to decide whether or not to allow the organization of festive and religious activities that would normally draw big crowds.

Since the pandemic broke out, Vietnam has recorded more than two million infections, ranking 28th out of 224 countries and territories.

As for the ratio of infections per one million inhabitants, Vietnam stands 143rd, with 20,725 cases in every one million people.

The country has recorded 35,975 Covid-19 deaths, or 1.76 percent of total infections.

It has reported 70 Omicron cases so far and all are foreign arrivals.

No Omicron infection has been detected in the community for now.