Ho Chi Minh City cancels fireworks shows on Reunification Day over COVID-19 fears

This file image shows a fireworks performance marking Reunification Day in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tu Trung / Tuoi Tre

The decision was announced by chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong during an urgent meeting on COVID-19 prevention and control on Monday morning.

There will be no pyrotechnic performances on this year’s Reunification Day, which will fall on Friday, chairman Phong asserted.

“The new coronavirus variants can spread very quickly," he explained.

"Recent news has showed how terrifying the pandemic has become in India.

“I do want a vibrant celebration of Reunification Day, but this activity attracts large crowds of people and may result in bad consequences.”

According to previous plans, two high-range pyrotechnic shows would take place near the Saigon River Tunnel in Thu Duc City and the Landmark 81 skyscraper in Binh Thanh District at 9:00 pm on Friday to mark Reunification Day.

Three low-range fireworks displays would also be organized at Dam Sen Cultural Park in District 11, Can Thanh Town in Can Gio District, and the Vinhomes Grand Park urban area in Thu Duc City.

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong speaks at an urgent meeting on COVID-19 prevention and control, April 26, 2021. Photo: Tien Long / Tuoi Tre

Chairman Phong also requested grassroots authorities to strictly penalize those who fail to wear face masks in public.

Those having symptoms of respiratory diseases should avoid going to crowded places, he added.

Necessary measures must also be taken to promptly detect any border jumpers in the metropolis.

Ho Chi Minh City has not recorded any community-based COVID-19 infection over the past 70 days.

As of Monday afternoon, Vietnam has documented 2,846 cases, with 2,516 recoveries and 35 deaths.

Meanwhile, the pandemic situation in neighboring countries has become increasingly complicated.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Cambodia has surged to nearly 10,000, with daily spikes recorded in the hundreds, while its fatalities have risen to 74.

Thailand’s tally has increased to 55,460, with 140 deaths, whereas Laos has locked down its capital to prevent transmission.

Source: tuoitrenews.vn
Collected by My Nguyen