Authorities in Taitung County have canceled the main event of local Lunar New Year celebrations due to COVID-19. It’s the first time that has happened in 32 years.
A brave volunteer faces the firecrackers’ flames. ‘Firing at Master Handan’ is a Lunar New Year tradition unique to Taitung. But County Mayor Rao Ching-ling says it won’t happen this year.
She says she is grateful to temple authorities for cooperating at such short notice.
Head of Hsuan Wu Temple Li Chien-chih thinks cancelation is the lesser of two evils. He says the temple doesn’t want to cancel the event, but they cannot risk spreading COVID-19.
This is the first time the fiery event has been cancelled in its 32-year history. The news comes after similar celebrations in Hsinchu, New Taipei City, and Tainan were all called off.
Ironically, firecrackers are traditionally used to ward off sickness. But it seems at least this year, pandemic beats pyrotechnics.