This year’s Christmas holiday and festivities are unlikely to feel like previous ones due to the Covid-19 pandemic and consequent measures to curb spread. This takes out partying out of the list of options for the festive period, a first for many. This also comes at a time when the country is seeing an increase in the number of reported cases and mortalities from the pandemic. As Rwandans and the rest of the world slow down ordinary business to celebrate the holiday, there is a risk of heightened vulnerability as families and friends travel from far and wide for the traditional gatherings. In some parts of the world, the risks are higher as the virus is reported to be mutating into a more transmissible version. Further vulnerability and an increase of community transmissions would lead the country to undo gains made during the year. Further vulnerability and heightened cases and incidences would jeopardize social and economic progress and start of 2021 on the wrong footing. Heightened vulnerability would mean delayed resumption of primary and secondary schools requiring further adjustment of the academic calendar. Businesses that are currently in the process of recovering would risk undoing any gains made and risk laying off employees or worse, wrapping up operations. The government which has in past months beginning March invested billions of Francs in diagnosis and treatment of cases would take a blow this time with little resources to see the country through. With Rwanda having been recognized as one of the top nations globally in mitigating the pandemic, travelers from Rwanda are allowed easy access to a number of countries globally. Heightened vulnerability would also put such gains in jeopardy. The current times will further necessitate that Rwandans sacrifice the usual festivities for the greater good and the bigger picture. While celebrating Christmas might be an age old tradition, this will be a year to make exceptions to avoid jeopardizing the gains made over previous months. This will be a year to discover new ways to celebrate Christmas and the New Year without the usual partying and congregation.
