We are in the greatest festive season of the year. Particularly, December 25 is when Christians celebrate Christmas—  to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Arguably the most important event on the Christian calendar, Christmas is usually celebrated with huge congregations in places of worship, shopping and a lot of merrymaking.

To some, the festive season means taking the family on a trip abroad or on holiday to a nice resort, while others exchange gifts.

Some urban folks take time off from their work to spend the festive season with their relatives in the countryside.

Part of this mood has been dampened by the Covid-19 pandemic thanks to efforts by the government to tighten restrictions in a bid to contain the virus spread.

However, the temptation to celebrate and embark on trips to the countryside is still there.

We have seen cases of serious congestion in Nyabugogo—Kigali’s main Taxi Park—as passengers scramble for buses. This demonstrates that despite the calls to limit travel, many people are keen on spending the festive season in the countryside. The rush to travel over such a short period has also overwhelmed the transport system and increased chances of accidents.

Science has shown that a family gathering, particularly on events like Christmas, might be an important boost to mental health and morale.

But embarking on a trip when Covid-19 infections are very high might turn out to be a costly journey, particularly to old people who are among the most vulnerable to the virus.

It should be everyone's right to enjoy but it is also everyone’s obligation to protect themselves, friends, and loved ones from this highly infectious virus.

The recent spike in cases is already stretching our health system. It is exerting pressure on national resources. Health workers are overwhelmed by the increasing cases, causing delays in testing results. 

If we don’t restrain ourselves and observe the Covid-29 measures set by the government, we risk undoing the hard-won gains, which might lead to more causalities and tighter restrictions in the coming months. We should find safer ways to celebrate or forego the merrymaking altogether.

Merry Christmas.