RIGA, Dec 23 (LETA) - After the government banned New Year's eve fireworks by municipalities, planned fireworks at seven locations in Liepaja have been cancelled, Liepaja Mayor Janis Vilnitis told LETA.

Despite the fact that the New Year's fireworks in Liepaja were being planned absolutely safely, assessing the risks and nuances in order not to encourage gathering and allowing residents to view the fireworks from their homes, in such a format fireworks have been prohibited, the head of the municipality explained.

"We understand the desire of the people of Liepaja to create a sense of celebration for themselves, but we call on residents to be responsible both to themselves and their fellow human beings and not to organize private fireworks themselves," Vilnitis called on residents.

As reported, as the New Year's celebrations are approaching, local governments are banned from organizing fireworks, according to the decision of the joint meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Crisis Management Council, said Health Minister Ilze Vinkele (For Development).

She said that such a decision has been made due to two reasons. One of them is to restrict gathering of people.

Another reason is that every person who might get injured during fireworks, has to be hospitalized, subjecting the patient to Covid-19 infection, and burdening hospitals.

Vinkele underscored that the decision refers to local governments, but not individuals.