HCMC skies not to dazzle with New Year's Eve fireworks

Pham Duc Hai, deputy head of the municipal Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Economic Recovery, announced this decision Thursday.

However, the municipal People's Committee had already planned to organize activities like the New Year's countdown on Nguyen Hue walking street in District 1 as also other entertainment activities in other districts.

"Based on these plans, respective administrations would decide whether to scale down the events or suspend them, depending on the coronavirus situation," Hai said, adding that suspending events in case of high coronavirus risks was necessary to keep people safe.

This is the second time that HCMC has decided not to launch fireworks in celebration of the New Year. The southern city had decided on a similar move in 2017 in order to cut budget expenditure and support poverty-stricken residents.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh earlier has ordered that no activities with large gatherings will be allowed during the New Year and Lunar New Year holidays given the Covid-19 situation.