NDO - Hanoi has decided to curtail its fireworks display for the Lunar New Year celebrations, with the show now to take place at only one site, instead of 30 as originally planned, as the capital city seeks to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The site has yet to be determined but the authorities stated it must meet pandemic prevention rules such as no mass gatherings. The show will be broadcast live on television.

Previously, the city had planned to set off high-altitude fireworks at six locations, including Hoan Kiem Lake, Lac Long Quan Park, My Dinh Stadium, Thong Nhat Park, Van Quan Lake and Son Tay Citadel, and low-altitude fireworks at 24 other sites.

In a related development, the authorities of Hoan Kiem District have proposed shutting down the pedestrian zone around Hoan Kiem Lake and nearby streets from February 5 as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus.

Provinces and cities across the country have also announced that their traditional pyrotechnic shows at the start of the new lunar year will be cancelled or trimmed down.