ULAN BATOR– Mongolia yesterday banned public celebrations of the traditional White Moon festival, or the Lunar New Year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The government has decided not to widely celebrate the upcoming White Moon, due to the pandemic,” the government’s press office said, in a statement.

Mongolians will be allowed to celebrate the holiday with their family members at home, it said.

The White Moon, one of the most celebrated and important holidays in Mongolia, symbolises the start of spring and end of winter.

As of yesterday, Mongolia has registered a total number of 388,872 COVID-19 infections, with 1,977 related deaths.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK