Lockdowns silence city festivities

As we settle into the postChristmas glow, it’s timely to consider the less fortunate. We in New Zealand have been very fortunate indeed.

There have been sacrifices and impacts, some of which will be felt for years to come. But by a combination of adherence to scientific advice and the benevolence of whichever deity one subscribes to, we have had as normal a Yuletide as anywhere in the world.

Right now, Christmas is a starkly different affair in the United Kingdom, where early tracking of a Covid-19 variant, which scientists believe may spread more easily, threw southern England into lockdown and prompted countries around the world to halt flights from the UK.

Effectively, Christmas was cancelled in London and surrounding areas.

There is little cause for cheer, government sources warn there is a “high chance” of a full national lockdown in the New Year.

After an outbreak from an as yet unidentified source, Sydney was able to ease some lockdown restrictions for Christmas but the city’s Northern Beaches remained in “red” lockdown.

Three days of relaxed Christmas restrictions to Sydneysiders was made in part to alleviate mental health concerns.

In the United States, officials across the tri-state New York area issued pleas to avoid travel, wear masks and limit gatherings — as fears grew the more virulent Covid19 strain would cross the Atlantic, although experts said the new strain would already be Stateside.

Germany has also gone into a hard lockdown over the Christmas period after the number of deaths and infections from the virus surged in early December.

Non-essential shops and schools are closed nationwide during the lockdown, which will last until January 10.

The Netherlands and the Czech Republic followed Germany into strict second lockdowns over the holiday period.

Bars and restaurants in the Netherlands have been closed since mid-october but the partial lockdown has not slowed the spread of the virus enough, resulting in a full closure for five weeks until January 19.

Italy is also in a new lockdown for much of the Christmas and New

Year. Many Italian regions are under partial lockdown and a ban on travel between different regions from December 21 to January 6 has been announced.

On top of the regional travel bans, people are not allowed to leave their home towns on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. There are exceptions only for work, medical reasons or emergencies.

In Russia, Moscow is under strict measures until January 15. These include early closing times for restaurants and cafes and a 25

"By a combination of adherence to scientific advice and the benevolence of whichever deity one subscribes to, we have had as normal a Yuletide as anywhere in the world.

per cent capacity limit at cinemas and theatres.

Residents over the age of 65 and those in high-risk groups must also self-isolate until the second week of January.

Other regions of Russia have similar restrictions.

In Spain, social gatherings on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are limited to 10 people.

Even Sweden, which has had a comparatively hands-off response to the pandemic and has tried not to let it disrupt normal life, is introducing its toughest restrictions yet.

Curbs on the numbers that can gather in restaurants, shops and gyms start from next week, while people have been told to work from home.

The Government is also now recommending face masks are worn on public transport.

The Financial Times reports stringent lockdowns also remain in parts of Asia, South America and Africa.

Meanwhile, Godzone has never been such an apt epithet as it is today.