On Wednesday (3 February), the Mongolian National Emergency Commission took the painful decision to impose lockdown measures again in Ulaanbaatar city during Lunar New Year in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. The total lockdown for a period of two weeks in the city will take effect on 11February or Lunar New Year’s Eve known as “Bituun” in Mongolia. During the period, only types as organisations such as the media, post, food production and delivery will be allowed to work.

Last month, the Mongolian government made a decision not to publicly celebrate the traditional Lunar New Year. However, Mongolians are still preparing for the holiday which is actually a combination of ringing the old year out and the new year in, as well as a celebration when families get together. During a long holiday of Lunar New Year, Mongolians traditionally visit their parents, relatives and friends.

Mongolia confirmed its first case of COVID-19 in March 2020. Its first local transmission was detected in early November, when a woman tested positive after her husband who had returned from Russia finished his 21-day mandatory quarantine.

The incident triggered a nationwide lockdown that was later extended in Ulaanbaatar and two provinces until 11 December, 2020. After that, the Mongolian government reimposed lockdown measures in the capital city, which was the hardest hit by the coronavirus outbreak, from 23 December, 2020 to 6 January, 2021 and extended the strict all-day lockdown until 11 January to curb resurging local cases.