Lockdown, curfew, no gatherings, no visits to friends or relatives. The rules may vary but, again this year, the Easter celebrations for millions of Christians around the world will inevitably be different from those of tradition. And, as churches, worshipers and families find alternatives to masses, lunches and egg hunts, the World Health Organization has warned against crowded indoor celebrations that could trigger a new wave of Covid-19 infections.
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Easter in the United States
In the United States, the first country in the world for the number of cases and deaths, the Center for the Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases (CDC) warns that “attending meetings to observe religious and spiritual holidays increases the risk of contracting and spreading the disease. COVID-19”. The safest way to do this “is to get together virtually, with people you live with, or in any case outdoors and respecting a distance of at least one meter from each other”. However, the CDC distinguishes between who has already been vaccinated or not. For example, those who are immune can reunite with other people, even unvaccinated and from other families, without having to wear a mask.
For people who have not received the vaccine, the CDC recommends wearing a face mask for both indoor and outdoor meetings, and avoiding crowded and poorly ventilated spaces. For anyone who organizes lunches or dinners for Easter, the CDC recommends providing disposable cutlery and utensils, making sure everyone wears a mask, and having a separate space where guests can wash their hands.
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Easter in the UK
In UK, one of the few countries to have eased restrictions ahead of the holidays, sales of Easter decoration items have increased, in some cases, by as much as 900%. As happened to Sainsbury’s, the country’s second largest supermarket chain, which reported a 977% increase in sales of Easter trees, a tradition imported from Sweden, where they are decorated with painted eggs and feathers.
Ebay Uk instead reported a 710% increase in sales of outdoor bar furniture and 416% for projectors, suggesting the intention of the British people to make the most of the loosening of the restrictive measures, which allows meetings between two families or to host groups of up to six in the backyard. According to a survey conducted by Sainsbury’s, in fact, three out of five people plan to organize the Easter lunch outdoors, while four out of five said they do not want to give up their outdoor programs despite bad weather forecasts. Moreover, for three quarters of the interviewees, Easter is the first time of the year in which they will see their loved ones again.
Third lockdown in France
In France, the third national lockdown has entered into force, which extended the measures initially announced for 19 departments to the whole country, now “red zone”. Traveling between regions without a valid reason is forbidden, but you can do outdoor sports within 10 kilometers of your home, in compliance with the curfew in force from 19:00 to 6:00. Essential businesses may remain open, an extended category to also include bookstores, music stores, car dealerships, hairdressers, florists and, for Easter, chocolate shops. However, the sale of alcoholic beverages in parks and other public spaces was banned, while Prime Minister Jean Castex urged the authorities not to hesitate to disperse gatherings of more than six people, and prosecutors to “systematically” investigate the organizers of clandestine parties that endanger the life of others.
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The U-turn in Germany
In Germany, after a U-turn and an unexpected apology, Chancellor Angela Merkel canceled the super lockdown that had been announced for the Easter weekend. It was decided that Easter ceremonies would be virtual, private gatherings limited to five people belonging to two different families, excluding those under 14 from the count.
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After Merkel’s announcement, the German Bishops’ Conference confirmed that Easter services will take place as planned in compliance with hygiene measures and with video streaming available to those who, for safety, do not intend to attend in person.
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Early holidays in Belgium
In Belgium, the Easter holidays started a week earlier for pupils and parents. The government has closed schools since March 26 as part of the tightening of the lockdown. As part of its response to the increase in cases, the government has also maintained a ban on non-essential travel in and out of the country, a decision criticized by the European Commission. The ban will remain in effect until the end of the holiday period on April 18th. Tourist villages, hotels and campsites are open, but restaurants and bars are closed.
The state of emergency in Spain
Spain remains in a state of emergency and subject to a nightly curfew that varies from region to region, as the country is hit by the fourth wave of the virus. Travel between the different regions is not allowed except for emergency reasons, therefore trips outside the city or visits to relatives and friends are prohibited. For those coming from other European countries, it is possible to travel to Spain by air or sea as long as a negative result for a PCR test carried out no more than 72 hours before arrival is presented.
The “click-away” in Greece
In Greece, small retail stores will reopen on Monday with so-called click-away and click-in-shop modes, meaning consumers will have to make appointments and stick to a three-hour limit for shopping. Bars and restaurants remain closed with the government threatening to increase penalties for owners that allow customers to gather with drinks outside the premises. However, some of the restrictions on freedom of movement have been eased. From Saturday, people can step outside the boundaries of their commune for exercise or a walk.
Masses “in absentia” in Latin America
In most of Latin America, one of the areas most affected by the pandemic with about 25 million confirmed infections and over 750,000 deaths, for the second consecutive year Easter Mass will be celebrated in the absence, or with very limited participation of people.
This is the case of the basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, one of the most famous Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world, where the celebrations can be held in the presence but with many limitations and without large numbers, given that the Mexican capital is located in this moment in the “orange zone”. Churches will also remain open, with restrictions, in Chile, Colombia, Venezuela and much of Argentina.
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Easter will be celebrated “in presence” in Manaus, the capital of the Brazilian state of Amazonia, between January and February, the world emblem of the out-of-control pandemic. However, in much of the country, including the national shrine of Aparecida, mass will be celebrated in the absence of the faithful.
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Curfew in the Philippines
In the Philippines, one of the most affected countries in Asia and where over 90% of the population is Christian, more than 25 million people in metropolitan Manila and neighboring provinces are subject to severe restrictions that will remain in effect at least until April 4th. The measures include a curfew from 6 to 5, a 10-person limit for outdoor gatherings and a ban on meeting for members of different households, while restaurants can only carry out take-out and delivery services.
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