Community cases of Covid-19 reported during the Lunar New Year holiday caused fear and anxiety throughout the country...
Community
cases of Covid-19 reported
during the Lunar New Year holiday
caused fear and anxiety throughout the country. Fortunately, none of them was in Khanh Hoa Province, so local residents still had a joyful Tet but with Covid-19 precautions. Tet celebration looked quite different amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Unforgettable memory
Many people still continued gathering at Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa Spring Flower Festival at Yen Phi Park, Nha Trang City until the 5th day of the Lunar New Year. A resident named Thu Ha in Nha Trang City said her family enjoyed spending time at the Spring Flower Festival every Lunar New Year. This year, they stayed at home for the first 3 days and came here on the 5th day.
Many parents ensured their children with masks on, use hand sanitizer and maintain safe distancing. A man named Nguyen Cong Doanh, Cu Chi Street said, “I take the face covering off only when taking photos in places where there are few people around to make sure it is safe.”
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Most people wore masks when going out during the first days of the Lunar Year. For many, this was the most memorable and special Tet for Vietnamese people as they had to change some customs and rituals. Few people went to pagodas and visited each other on the first days of the Lunar New Year.
Covid-19 impacts simplified Lunar New Year celebration in many ways. “This year, my family just bought some necessities, including food for Tet. People enjoyed Tet spiritually and ensured a safe and warm holiday,” said a resident named Dinh Thi Kim Anh, Le Hong Phong Street, Nha Trang City.
For a man named Le Nhat Tien, Tet amid Covid-19 is a time for families to get together. The real happiness is simply family reunion with everyone staying safe. His family used to get together on the first day and then his children went out with their friends. This year, his family members had more time together at home due to travel and large gathering restriction.
Safe and warm Tet
The Lunar New Year holiday 2021 has gone, safe and sound for those on duty. According to Nha Trang City Public Security’s Traffic Police Division, traffic security was basically maintained with a decrease in road accidents, injuries and fatalities for 7 days on February 10-16 compared with the last Lunar New Year. Especially, accidents in general and alcohol-related crashes in particular dropped compared with previous years.
Traffic inspection and control were maintained to detect and handle offences, especially alcohol-related violations; tightening transportation security and ensuring passenger transport vehicles’ compliance with the pandemic secure guidelines such as wearing masks, health declaration and seating distancing, according to Lieutenant-Colonel Le Buu Tho, Deputy Head of Nha Trang City Public Security’s Traffic Police Division.
From the last day to the 5th day of the Lunar New Year 2021, the number of patient arrivals dropped compared to last year, to 200-250/ day from 300/day in 2020. Patients in need of emergency care due to traffic accidents decreased by about 60% compared to the previous Tet; other suffered from cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory diseases, diarrhea, etc. This year, due to Covid-19 epidemic, holiday gatherings and dining out were limited, thus contributing to less road crashes, according to Dr. Le Tran Anh Thi, Director of Emergency Center 115, Khanh Hoa General Hospital.
Many felt something weird this Lunar New Year holiday but acted responsibly in the fight against the on-going Covid-19 pandemic. This Lunar New Year celebration shifted, guaranteeing safety and adhering to the “Tet 5K” guidelines and recommendations by the Ministry of Health.
Thanh Truc
Translated by N.T
