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WASHINGTON: The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that avoiding family gatherings would be “the safest bet” over Christmas, insisting there is no zero-risk option for traditional holiday merry-making during the coronavirus pandemic.
WHO officials said it was down to governments to weigh up the economic and social benefits of loosening pandemic restrictions over the festive period, while individuals would have to decide whether they might be putting more vulnerable relatives at risk.
Europe and the United States are battling rising coronavirus cases that are pushing health systems to the brink forcing governments to issue stay-at-home orders and close businesses ahead of Christmas.
WHO’s COVID-19 technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove said there were no “zero-risk” options. “There’s lower risk or higher risk — but there is a risk,” she told a virtual media briefing.
“This is incredibly difficult because especially during holidays… we really want to be with family but in some situations, the difficult decision not to have that family gathering is the safest bet.”
She said everyone would have to take that decision for themselves whether they could potentially be bringing the virus into the home of more vulnerable individuals with a higher risk of dying from the disease.
Van Kerkhove suggested that connecting virtually might 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,” she said. “We are doing that within our own family and we are going to have one heck of a celebration when this is all over.”
Michael Ryan, the WHO’s emergency director, said there was a balance to be struck between the science and the economic and social factors. However, there was no formula to suggest how long it might be safe to ease restrictions over the holiday season.
Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday in the United States, Ryan said that after Thanksgiving in neighbouring Canada celebrated this year on October 1, the transmission of the virus increased. He said there was “no question” that in areas of significant community transmission, further opening up would result in increased transmission.
“The question is: have you got the disease under enough control to start with, and can you allow people a little bit more freedom over the Christmas period which generates a sense of confidence and joy in the community, which people need right now, without letting the virus let rip again?
