One of the most popular and biggest festivities in the country will be a little different this year as the City of Manila bans all Chinese New Year events, Mayor Isko Moreno announced last Friday, January 29, via a city executive order.
No stage shows, street games, parades, parties, and other similar activities will be allowed from February 11 to 12 according to the order. Moreno shared that "All activities for the celebration of Chinese or Lunar New Year within the City of Manila are hereby cancelled." There will also be a liquor ban in Chinatown during the dates.
The decision is part of the efforts to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus as the country faces new challenges to stop the spread of its UK strain. The city’s general community quarantine has also been extended until February.
"This cancellation is all the more compelling due to reports of [the] COVID[-19] variant entering the country," Moreno said.
Fireworks are also not allowed during the celebration.
The city of Manila is home to Binondo which houses the oldest Chinatown in the country and the first in the world.
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