Lantern Festival is a time-honored traditional Chinese festival. It falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month marking the end of the Spring Festival, and people usually celebrate it together.  

However, many celebratory activities were canceled in China this year due to the novel coronavirus outbreak. 

The lantern exhibition in Yanbian, Jilin Province, that was scheduled to be held on February 8, was canceled, according to local media. At Yichun, Heilongjiang Province, local government also announced the cancellation of shows, exhibitions and other densely-populated activities.

Outside of China, Lantern Festival celebrations in Auckland, New Zealand were similarly canceled. 

Events like these, involving crowds of people gathering together and moving from one place to another, go against efforts in containing a viral outbreak as they can easily cause a rapid spike in both the number and scope of infections. 

Chinese respiratory expert Zhong Nanshan suggested people wear masks in public places where people are gathering. The novel coronavirus may be spread by different transmission, hence avoiding crowded places is an effective way to prevent more infections. 

Nonetheless, Chinese people are finding different ways to celebrate the Lantern Festival at home and stay positive. While they may only be able to share in eating glutinous rice balls, or tangyuan, with their families remotely, love can overcome physical distance.