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The World Health Organization has said avoiding family gatherings would be “the safest bet” during Christmas, insisting that there is no zero-risk option for traditional holidays during the coronavirus pandemic.
WHO officials said it was up to governments to weigh the economic and social benefits of relaxing pandemic restrictions during the holiday period, while people would have to decide whether they could put more vulnerable family members at risk.
Europe and the Americas are battling a surge in coronavirus cases that are pushing healthcare systems to the brink, forcing governments to issue stay-at-home orders and close deals ahead of the crucial Christmas period.
Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO Covid-19 technical lead, said there were no “zero risk” options.
“There is a minor or a greater risk, but there is a risk,” he said in a virtual press conference.
“This is incredibly difficult because especially during the holidays … we really want to be with family, but in some situations, the difficult decision not to have that family reunion is the safest bet.”
He said everyone would have to make that decision for themselves, weighing whether they could bring the virus into the home of more vulnerable people at higher risk of dying from the disease.
Ms. Van Kerkhove suggested that connecting virtually could be the way to go.
“Even if you can’t celebrate together this year, you can find ways to celebrate when this is all over,” he said. “We are doing that within our own family and we are going to have a great celebration when this is all over.”
Michael Ryan, WHO emergency director, said a balance had to be struck between science and economic and social factors.
However, there was no formula to suggest how long it might be safe to ease restrictions during the Christmas season.
Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday in the United States, Ryan said that after Thanksgiving in neighboring Canada, celebrated this year on October 12, transmission of the virus increased.
He said there was “no question” that in areas of significant community transmission, greater openness would result in increased transmission.
“The question is: do you have the disease under enough control to start? Can you allow people a little more freedom during the Christmas period, which creates a sense of trust and joy in the community that people need right now , without letting the virus be released again?
“It is a trade-off between these two problems.”
Ryan said national policies weren’t as clear-cut as science.
“Each government will have to decide its policy, based on these trade-offs between epidemiological risk and the economic and social risk of continuing to have people in a restricted situation during a vacation period, which will really generate a lot of frustration, more fatigue and a lot of rejection” .
The United States expects to begin a comprehensive Covid-19 vaccination program in early December, the head of the government’s coronavirus vaccination effort said today, as cases surge in the worst-hit nation.
Europe prepares for its first Covid-19 Christmas
With restrictions on family gatherings, instructions not to hug, and a courteous request to Santa to keep his distance and wear a mask, Europe is gearing up for its first Covid-19 Christmas.
Governments across the continent, which account for a quarter of the world’s reported infections and deaths, are trying to tighten restrictions on public life to allow families to celebrate Christmas without spreading the virus.
Most are due to present plans this week and many are thinking along similar lines: restricted family gatherings, with festive traditions, such as the German Christmas markets and the Three Kings parades in Spain, largely canceled.
In Belgium, one of the hardest-hit countries in Europe, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo is concerned about a third wave of infections just as the second begins to flatten out.
“Either we break a third wave at Christmas or we do a third wave at Christmas,” said De Croo, who plans to celebrate with just his wife and two children.
Underscoring its message, the Belgian government has written to Saint Nicholas, whose December 6 visit with gifts for children is a national holiday event, urging him to: “Keep your distance, wash your hands regularly and wear a mask when necessary.” .
In Italy, which has the second highest death toll in Europe after Britain, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte warned last week: “We will have to spend the holidays in a more sober way. Big parties, kisses and hugs will not be possible.” .
The death toll in the country today passed 50,000, with the confirmation of 630 new deaths.
Paris will give up its ice rinks and Christmas market this year and Moscow has canceled large public celebrations, instead encouraging people to take a walk to enjoy the city’s lights and decorations.
Faced with restrictions, Europeans are becoming innovative. A Bavarian innkeeper has opened a self-service Christmas market, while in the Netherlands, children enjoy a remote meeting with SinterKlaas.
In London, the government said it was working with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to ease restrictions around Christmas and allow families to reunite, despite a scientific adviser warning that mixing at Christmas presented substantial risks.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced today that England will face staggered coronavirus restrictions until the end of March.
The President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, summarized the balancing act that governments face: “We have two wishes: to be with those we love the most and to embrace them, and the obligation to protect them.
“Without a doubt, our greatest aspiration is to be able to live and share many more Christmases in the company of our loved ones.”
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