ULAN BATOR, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia will mark its national holiday of Naadam with a live broadcast on both television channels and social media due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the country's government press office said Wednesday.
"The government has decided to organize this year's Naadam online only in the capital city and ban it in all other parts of the country to prevent a further spread of the COVID-19, as gatherings during the holiday could lead to surging infections," Chuluunbaatar Bolortuya, spokesperson of the government, told a press conference, adding that citizens will not be allowed to enter venues of the festival in the capital city.
Inscribed in UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the official holiday is celebrated on July 11-15.
Naadam, which means "games" in the Mongolian language and features horse racing, archery and wrestling, is the most widely watched festival for foreign tourists in the nomadic country.
As of Wednesday, Mongolia has registered a total of 83,128 COVID-19 infections, with 403 deaths. Enditem