KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress has decided not to host annual tea reception this year too owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The party has been holding an annual tea party since 1977 on the last day of the Dashain festival, a tradition started by one of the party’s founding leaders, BP Koirala.

Chief Secretary of the NC’s party office, Krishna Prasad Poudel said that the party will not host annual tea reception due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Continuing with the long-standing tradition, Nepali Congress used to host the tea reception to exchange greetings as other major festivals like Tihar, Chhath, Newari New Year and Uvauli and Udhauli festival are on their way.