Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations around the world and on the Island were subdued because of the pandemic.

It is officially the start of the Year of the Ox. Typically, the Chinese community in New Hyde Park would out the community center in Clinton Martin Park.

But this year, because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Town of North Hempstead is holding virtual events.

Restaurants also have had to adapt to the careful celebrations. Instead of hosting the usual large crowd around this time of the year, Chef Wang's in New Hyde Park fulfilled takeout orders only.

Owner Dingen Wang says last year was rough, but he is hopeful for this year. He says the restaurant will bring the best food to the community for the new year.

Mickey Song, the president of the New Hyde Park Chinese Association, says early on in 2020, members of the Chinese community across the country were fearful of racist rhetoric about the coronavirus pandemic. However, he says the community is excited for this new beginning.

"In New Hyde Park we are a good, very safe community here," Song says. "The ox means very good fortune for the year."

He also pointed out that 2020 was the Year of the Rat, which is traditionally a bad year in Chinese culture.