Facing the risk of the Covid-19 outbreak and the appearance of the Omicron variant, Hanoi has decided to tighten its control over festivals and cultural activities that may draw large gatherings during the upcoming holiday of New Year.

There will be no firework display to celebrate New Year 2022 in Hanoi. Photo: Thanh Hai

In an official message sent to municipal authorities and people on December 30, Hanoi Party Committee said the city will activate its entire anti-pandemic system, drastically inspect the implementation of Covid-19 pandemic prevention and control measures in localities.

According to Deputy Secretary of Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong, the situation is predicted to remain complicated over the upcoming New Year and Vietnamese traditional Lunar New Year) holidays as the demand for transport will be increased, meanwhile, over 140,000 Vietnamese nationals want to return to the country for the holidays.

Accordingly, Hanoi will instead hold virtual events and pre-record cultural performance programs to welcome 2022, which will be broadcast on New Year's Eve.

The city also encourages businesses and organizations to put up decorations and lightings on the front of buildings, hotels, and malls.

The downtown district of Hoan Kiem, where major cultural events usually take place and is a place for many people's gatherings also announced that celebration events in the area were to be halted while in-door dining is suspended.

Hanoi has recorded over 40,000 local infections in the fourth Covid wave that struck Vietnam in April. On average, in the past week, Hanoi has recorded 1,700 infections a day.