These past few months have been hard on everyone, but people still hope to successfully spend their holidays without Covid-19 getting in the way of their traditions. Governments around the world are having a difficult time deciding if they should lift restrictions for Christmas and New-Year’s eve. I decided to research how some countries are dealing with the preparations for the Holidays. Most of us still have the Christmas spirit and motivation to spend the winter holidays just like before.
In Europe, the situation worsens every day. Considering this, the governments are in a very stressful situation, deciding whether they should give people the opportunity to have a good holiday or to be safe from the pandemic. In the Netherlands, the Prime Minister has decided that the country has to go through a lockdown with very strict restrictions from 15 December to 19 January. All the schools, shops, cinemas, gyms, studios, hairdressers, etc. are closed; only essential shops are open. However, those restrictions will slightly be eased for Christmas. For three days, the citizens will be able to have three guests over instead of two, not counting children below the age of 13. The Prime Minister expects many protestors, but he says that this is best for everyone’s safety.
The special restrictions in the UK allow people to celebrate Christmas. Between 23 and 27 December, there will be no travel restrictions and people will be able to mix indoors and stay overnight, but the number of people who can mix is limited. So-called "Christmas bubbles" can include a maximum of three households in most of the UK. In Italy, people won’t be allowed to leave their hometowns on Christmas or New Years’ day. The only exceptions will be for work and medical emergencies. Sadly, this year ski resorts are closed everywhere.
In Georgia, a curfew will be in force between the hours of 21:00 and 05:00. The restriction will be temporarily lifted on December 31 and January 6 For New Year and Christmas. Restaurants and other food facilities fully moved to takeaway and delivery services Fitness clubs and swimming pools, are closed. All conferences, cultural and entertaining events will be held online. Sports, arts, and other cultural activities will not be allowed. Public transport is also not available. As we can see most countries have very similar restrictions.
I interviewed one of our schoolmates, Datuna Dolidze, and asked his opinion about the government of Georgia lifting some regulations for Christmas and New Year. In his opinion, opening the city malls is wrong because a lot of people are going there without even considering the existence of Covid-19; in fact, the government should be prepared for an increase in cases. They should already be developing plans for how to control this situation when it worsens. On the other hand, he thinks that this was a very hard year for everyone and it deserves to have a happy ending. Lifting the regulations for Christmas and New Year will bring a little bit of joy in everyone, after going through so much stress. Datuna will be spending the New Year with his family at home and he might also go out with a couple of friends.
Christmas and New Year motivate people for new and better beginnings in life and not being able to celebrate them well affects their moods negatively. Everyone wants to have a brilliant time during Christmas and New Year, but we have to face reality and deal with the ongoing situation in the world. This is a pandemic that affected everyone in different way; now it's our job to think and care about each other. Especially people with health issues, who are in the most danger. Think about everyone with major health problems and how they might suffer from you celebrating Christmas and New Year without those restrictions. Every country is dealing with this issue individually and is trying to come up with the best solutions and we have to support each other. Don’t forget, we’re still in the same boat, and there is a long journey ahead!
Edited by Mariam Khaduri
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