With COVID-19 cases rising all over the world, many will have to alter their holiday plans to adapt to the newly-added safety protocols. Countries have had to get creative to celebrate the holiday season during the COVID-19 era.
The U.K.
The four nations that make up the U.K., England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, came up with an agreement to allow families to spend the holidays together. They decided to ease travel restrictions from December 23rd to December 27th, and three households can form an exclusive “bubble.” The bubble has strict rules, such as no changes to other bubbles and no meeting anyone outside of the bubble in private. Families can still observe Christmas traditions such as watching school nativity plays, caroling with a maximum of six people, and visiting Santa’s grottos, a place where children can receive presents from Santa.
Brazil
COVID-19 has killed over 170,000 Brazilians, the third-highest death toll behind the U.S. and India. Brazil’s President downplayed the virus from the start and may have caused case numbers to increase due to Brazilian’s false sense of security. Local officials had to make individualized plans to combat the virus, but some refuse to enforce lockdowns and mask mandates. Christmas plans range in different parts of Brazil, but most agree to limit New Year’s celebrations and gatherings, Al Jazeera notes.
France
If case numbers remain below 5,000 a day in France, people can leave their homes and travel to visit their family and friends. From December 24th to the 31st, a curfew from 9 pm to 7 am will be enacted. Non-essential shops will open, allowing people to stock up on food for Le Réveillon, a luxurious meal consisting of seafood and yule log cakes. The limit of how many people can gather in private homes remains optional, but according to The Local, the French Prime Minister recommended no more than six people, excluding children. Ski resorts, a common gathering place during the holidays, will be closed, as well as bars, restaurants, and cafes, until January 20th.
Germany
Despite the virus stifling holiday cheer, Germany’s cities remain festively lit up with massive trees, light sculptures, and fairy lights. Children eagerly placed boots outside their doors on December 5th, hoping St. Nicholas would visit them. The annual markets in Germany closed temporarily, however, many sellers put up make-shift booths to sell their goods. As for Christmas plans, German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed to lift restrictions from December 23rd to January 1st. Each household can meet up with a maximum of 10 people, with children under 14 exempt. Germans should social distance for at least seven days before Christmas to minimize the spread of infection. Church services will take place outside or through live streams. The Archdiocese of Berlin, Stefan Förner, requested everyone to keep Christmas positive, even though it would look different. “This year, we will recall long-standing traditions while also developing relatively new ones,” he said.
Japan
Christmas in Japan symbolizes a season of happiness, rather than a religious holiday. Even though only 1% of the Japanese population identifies as Christian, Japanese Christmas continues its importance in the middle of a pandemic. The traditional Christmas meal consists of KFC Chicken and strawberry cake. In 1980, the manager of the first KFC in Japan promoted fried chicken as a substitute for a traditional turkey. Ever since then, it has since become widely practiced during the holiday season. Japanese Christmas Eve replaces Valentine’s Day, making it the most romantic day of the year. Unfortunately, many Japanese couples will have to spend their romantic evening at home. Restaurants, hotels, and patisseries started to offer the three main components of a Japanese Christmas—fried chicken, cake, and gifts—in reduced amounts. For example, Westin Hotel released a miniature strawberry cake for those who celebrate Christmas over Zoom. More people opt to make handmade gifts for their significant others, instead of going to the store.
The U.S.A.
With a total of more than 15 million cases and 285,000 deaths, Christmas won’t be a joyful occasion for many families. Experts warn Americans to be aware of the dangers of meeting family members, even with the good news surrounding vaccines. The CDC recommends staying away from Christmas gatherings, only spending time with immediate family or roommates, and attending Zoom calls to reduce physical interaction. Many annual traditions in the U.S turned into virtual events. Christmas parades will be broadcasted on TV for families to enjoy without leaving the comfort of their homes. While people can go out to finish their holiday shopping, many stores have the option of purchasing gifts online with delivery. New York’s Rockefeller Center Tree won’t be getting as much attention as it usually does, considering the new rules viewers must abide by. According to the New York Post, the tree will have viewing “pods” where visitors can observe for five minutes.
Comments