National Day fireworks in Kaohsiung to allow only 20,000 spectators

The National Day fireworks show, which will be held in Kaohsiung for the first time in 20 years, will be limited to only 20,000 on-site spectators, according to the event’s preparatory committee on Thursday.

The celebrations, to be held Oct. 10, take into consideration the government’s COVID-19 regulations and will be adjusted in line with any new protocols issued by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (???) said at a press briefing.

The number of spectators has been downgraded from the original plan, which anticipated 690,000 people, Chen said, indicating that members of the public wishing to attend the show have to sign up online to enter a draw.

However, if there is a sudden spike in community transmissions of unknown origin ahead of the event, the show could still be canceled, Chen added.

The celebrations will be held on a 35-hectare plot of land at the edge of Kaohsiung Port, according to the committee responsible for planning and organizing the 2021 National Day fireworks show in the southern Taiwanese city.

Different viewing stages will be set up at the site for spectators to watch the fireworks display, including at Pier-2 Art Center and the Kaohsiung Music Center, the committee said.

Attendees will, however, be required to wear face masks at all times, and eating will not be allowed, it added.

The last time the event was held in Kaohsiung was in 2000, the first time the fireworks display was ever held outside Taipei, Chen wrote on his Facebook page in March.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel