A man prays at a temple in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on the eve of Lunar New Year.
In pictures: Lunar New Year 2021
A man prays at a temple in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on the eve of Lunar New Year.
Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images

Updated 1905 GMT (0305 HKT) February 14, 2021

The coronavirus pandemic is forcing many people around the world to change the way they celebrate Lunar New Year, the most important holiday in the Chinese zodiac calendar.

Hundreds of millions of people usually pack highways, trains and planes to come home and celebrate with their family. But governments are discouraging people from traveling this year if it's nonessential.

The 15-day festival began on Friday, February 12. This is the Year of the Ox.

Families belonging to The Chinese Association of Gauteng have a New Year's dinner at the Shun De restaurant in Johannesburg on Saturday, February 13.
Families belonging to The Chinese Association of Gauteng have a New Year's dinner at the Shun De restaurant in Johannesburg on Saturday, February 13.
Luca Sola/AFP/Getty Images
People watch a performance in Canberra, Australia, on February 13.
People watch a performance in Canberra, Australia, on February 13.
Liu Changchang/Xinhua/Getty Images
An artist in Tianjin, China, makes a candy painting on February 13.
An artist in Tianjin, China, makes a candy painting on February 13.
Zhao Zishuo/Xinhua/Getty Images
People in Singapore celebrate Lunar New Year at the River Hongbao festivity at the Gardens by the Bay.
People in Singapore celebrate Lunar New Year at the River Hongbao festivity at the Gardens by the Bay.
Ore Huiying/Getty Images
Worshippers wear face masks as they pray at the Wong Tai Sin Temple in Hong Kong on Friday, February 12.
Worshippers wear face masks as they pray at the Wong Tai Sin Temple in Hong Kong on Friday, February 12.
Kin Cheung/AP
People take selfies in the Chinatown area of Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, February 11. The neighborhood was filled with Lunar New Year decorations.
People take selfies in the Chinatown area of Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, February 11. The neighborhood was filled with Lunar New Year decorations.
Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images
A passenger sits on a bench at a Beijing railway station on February 11. Because of the pandemic, fewer people are traveling home for the holiday.
A passenger sits on a bench at a Beijing railway station on February 11. Because of the pandemic, fewer people are traveling home for the holiday.
Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images
A family takes a picture in front of an ox sculpture at a mall in Beijing on February 11.
A family takes a picture in front of an ox sculpture at a mall in Beijing on February 11.
Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images
Few people are seen at the international airport in Wuhan, China, on February 11.
Few people are seen at the international airport in Wuhan, China, on February 11.
Kyodo/AP
People pray at Wat Mangkon, a Buddhist temple in Bangkok's Chinatown.
People pray at Wat Mangkon, a Buddhist temple in Bangkok's Chinatown.
Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images
A man wearing a traditional Chinese outfit uses his cell phone as he waits for his meal in Bangkok's Chinatown.
A man wearing a traditional Chinese outfit uses his cell phone as he waits for his meal in Bangkok's Chinatown.
Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty Images
Someone waits for a train at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday, February 10.
Someone waits for a train at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday, February 10.
Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images
A woman adjusts a child's protective mask as they wait to board a train in Beijing on February 10.
A woman adjusts a child's protective mask as they wait to board a train in Beijing on February 10.
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
Passengers line up at a railway station in Beijing on February 10.
Passengers line up at a railway station in Beijing on February 10.
Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images
People take photos and videos of a 3-D display outside a mall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
People take photos and videos of a 3-D display outside a mall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua/Getty Images
A cat is seen among drying incense sticks at a factory on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia.
A cat is seen among drying incense sticks at a factory on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia.
Willy Kurniawan/Reuters
A man in Beijing shops for festive decorations on February 9.
A man in Beijing shops for festive decorations on February 9.
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
A passenger arrives at the Beijing West railway station on February 8.
A passenger arrives at the Beijing West railway station on February 8.
NOEL CELIS/AFP/Getty Images
An inflatable ox sits at the gate of Wuhan's Ocean Park on February 8.
An inflatable ox sits at the gate of Wuhan's Ocean Park on February 8.
Getty Images
Workers disinfect a bus station in Bijie, China, on February 7 as they prepare for Lunar New Year travel.
Workers disinfect a bus station in Bijie, China, on February 7 as they prepare for Lunar New Year travel.
STR/AFP/Getty Images
Girls pose in front of a cartoon ox in Beijing on February 6.
Girls pose in front of a cartoon ox in Beijing on February 6.
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
Michael Tan, president of the Chau Luen Athletic Club in Vancouver, British Columbia, records a lion dance for a virtual New Year event.
Michael Tan, president of the Chau Luen Athletic Club in Vancouver, British Columbia, records a lion dance for a virtual New Year event.
Andrew Chin/Getty Images
A baby panda climbs on a Lunar New Year display at the Wolong Nature Reserve in China's Sichuan province.
A baby panda climbs on a Lunar New Year display at the Wolong Nature Reserve in China's Sichuan province.
Chinatopix/AP