Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, the Spring Festival, Tết and Seollal, is celebrated in different ways in many countries and cultures throughout Asia as well as worldwide.
Celebrations officially start on 17 February 2026, with festivities lasting for several days and attracting big crowds, with large numbers of international visitors. Crowds of people in one place increase the risk of infectious diseases like measles, colds, respiratory infections, influenza (flu) and pneumonia.
Reduce your risk of avian influenza by avoiding all contact with birds and animals. This includes wild animals or birds (dead or alive), cattle and domestic animals/birds and particularly ‘wet markets’ (live bird and animal markets) in Asia and the Far East.
Check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Foreign travel advice for the country you are visiting. This advice includes safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings for your destination.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Check health advice for your destination in our Country Information pages.
Additionally visit
https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/news/887/lunar-new-year-2026-travel-advice
Arrange an appointment with your GP, practice nurse, pharmacist or travel clinic to make sure you are in-date for all recommended travel and routine UK vaccines, including COVID-19, flu and MMR/MMRV. This is especially important if you already have any health problems.
Pregnant travellers and anyone planning pregnancy should also discuss their travel plans with their GP or midwife, as well as a travel health professional.