The air of festivity that typically characterizes Hanoi’s Hang Ma Street at this time, festooned with lanterns and other accoutrements for the Mid-Autumn Festival, is markedly absent.

Since Hoan Kiem District is one among nine Hanoi districts deemed at high risk for Covid-19 infections, social distancing measures are still in place.

On Hang Ma Street, a Covid-19 checkpoint was erected Saturday to prevent large gatherings of people shopping for the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is also known as Children’s Tet in Vietnam.

Along the streets, nearly all shops are closed. The capital has recorded 4,157 Covid-19 cases in the fourth wave starting April 27, with 20 added Sunday.

Police officers visit the street and remind shopkeepers that the social distancing order is still in force.

Some masks, lanterns and drums used to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival are seized by authorities.

When police officers leave, some shops still engage in quick sales before shutting their doors.

Shutters are opened just a foot or two off the floor as customers and shopkeepers engage in discreet transactions.

A woman and a girl who have managed to procure a star lantern on Hang Ma Street.

People line up to shop for mooncakes on Hanoi’s Thuy Khue Street in Ba Dinh District. Local police have cooperated with shops to sell the mooncakes in the spacious premises of the Chu Van An Primary School, ensuring that people observe social distancing rules.

A man receives a number tag to await his turn to buy the cakes. Each person may only buy a maximum of two boxes.

This year's Mid-Autumn Festival falls next Tuesday. In Hanoi's 19 districts that are classified as low-risk areas, shoppers have begun to buy products in preparation for the festival.